Trump reelection ‘once-in-a-thousand year opportunity’ for North Korea, defector says

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Former diplomat Ri Il Kyu, who fled his Cuba posting in November last year, said Kim Jong-un would use Trump to seek a deal over its nuclear weapons programme. A second term for Trump would be used by Kim Jong-un for his personal advantage, a former North Korean diplomat said But any agreement would be “a ploy, 100 per cent deception”, Mr Ri said. Mr Trump has previously hailed the relationship with Kim as a key achievement of his presidency Just last month, he told a rally Kim would like to see him back in office: “I think he misses me, if you want to know the truth.” Mr Ri also said North Korea’s recent strengthening of ties with Russia was not likely to last and Pyongyang was aware the relationship would likely deteriorate after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine comes to an end. Mr Ri also said North Korea’s recent strengthening of ties with Russia was not likely to last beyond the war in Ukraine Speaking about Kim, the former diplomat said he was left “shaking with nerves” the first time he met the leader.