CNN: Trump Might Need Outside Help in NKorea Talks

The Trump administration is reportedly considering appointing an outside expert as a special envoy to deal with the North Koreans alongside Secretary of State Rex Tillerson should a possible sit-down occur.

CNN reported the State Department's top diplomat dealing with North Korea, Joseph Yun, is leaving this week, and the assistant secretary for East Asia, in place in an "acting" capacity, still has not been confirmed.

With such a delicate conversation, a point person may help negotiations along, CNN reported.

According to CNN, unnamed officials say an outside expert would be called upon to handle technical negotiations before Tillerson would step in to be at the table toward the end of any negotiation. No names have been suggested yet, CNN reported.

One unnamed senior administration official told CNN a summit expected next month between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could be "very significant," suggesting South Korea wants to see how far it can go in improving relations.

The official told CNN, however, the detente leaves the United States on the margins.

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