FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Suzanne DiMaggio, a senior fellow at US-based foreign policy think tank New America, cautioned that even if the talks were successful, it could take a decade for the rogue state to get ride of rid of its weapons – assuming they are actually serious about doing so.



Ms DiMaggio suggested the North Korea regards the progress made in their nuclear programme in recent years as a significant bargaining chip.



Speaking at a press conference organised by North Korea watchdog 38 North, she said: “I think the fact is Kim Jong Un could say, at the end of 2017, what he said he would say at the beginning of 2017: ‘By the end of this year we will complete our nuclear force.’



“Now, we can debate whether or not he really has that capability.

GETTY US President Donald Trump has been warned if the summit fails, war could be unavoidable

GETTY North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could take ten years to get rid of nuclear weapons, Ms DiMaggio said

“Does he have a reentry capability to actually hit us with a nuclear weapon?



“But I think that’s beside the point. I think they feel a great sense of confidence that they’ve made these accomplishments.



“Also, they understand that it has greatly enhanced their negotiating position. So, I think they have a keen understanding that that negotiating position is as strong now as it’s going to be.



“So, I think that is why they’re entering into talks now.



“So…I think they also understand that even when they say ‘denuclearisation’ they mean a process to get there.



“And what we need to find out is, if they’re serious, how long are they talking about? A year? Five years? Ten years? I think that’s what we need to be pursuing.



Ms DiMaggio added: “For some of us who have long supported diplomatic talks to address the North Korean crisis, the news of a summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, I think brought about what I would call a “be careful what you wish for” moment.



“Are these two leaders, both of whom I would call untested leaders on the global stage…ready for such high stakes diplomacy?



She said one of her biggest concerns was if the summit came to be seen as a failure.

North Korea celebrates new year with terrifying war-themed display Tue, January 2, 2018 North Korea residents celebrated New Year’s Eve with a chilling fireworks display while despot leader Kim Jong-un used his message to threaten nuclear war on Donald Trump Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 7 Fireworks are seen above the Taedong River during New Year celebrations as visitors pose for a photo in front of an ice sculpture of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Pyongyang Ice Sculpture Festival in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang