North Korea reached out to think tank in Myanmar, analyst says

Nov. 29 (UPI) -- North Korea reached out to a think tank in Myanmar to organize a dialogue on the Korean Peninsula, an analyst said this week.

Hoo Chiew-Ping of the National University of Malaysia said Wednesday North Korea is taking the initiative to launch Track II diplomacy outside government channels, Singapore's Straits Times reported Thursday.

Hoo said the roundtable could take place in mid-December, according to the report.

"Maybe they are responding to [South Korean President] Moon Jae-in's new Southern Policy, that ASEAN is one of the best platforms that they can utilize to promote their peace agenda," she said.

The dialogue is a way to upkeep a "thin line of connection" between Pyongyang and Southeast Asia, the analyst said.

North Korea has previously attended Track II meetings, including the annual Asia-Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur, but its participation in forums in the region have declined in the past decade, according to the report.

Hoo said the United States is not likely to take part in the Myanmar roundtable.

"It is important for us to speak face to face, to know what they really think. And whether something can be worked out together," the analyst said.

The Trump administration has stood firm on its policy of sanctions against Pyongyang, until there is substantial and "verifiable" progress on denuclearization.

This week the U.S. Department of Justice took further steps to fine companies for their business dealings with North Korea.

According to the department, the United States has filed a lawsuit against Singapore-based companies, including the Cooperating Co. and Apex Choice Ltd., for laundering U.S. dollars on behalf of sanctioned North Korea banks.

Voice of America reported Thursday the companies did not deal directly with North Korea banks, transacting instead with "concealed companies" established by North Korea.