Trump could woo North Korea after midterm setback, but Kim may not respond - analysis

Analysis: Trump's midterm setback may drive him to seek a foreign policy win by re-engaging North Korea, but Kim Jong Un has little incentive to negotiate given North Korea's expanded arsenal and strong ties with Russia and China. US and South Korean officials see fading chances of a meeting this year.

The rebuke President Donald Trump suffered in the US midterm elections could prompt him to step up efforts to re-engage North Korea, but any willingness to make major concessions risks creating friction with regional allies. Analysts and officials in Asia expect Trump to focus on foreign policy as he seeks to build his legacy in the final two years of his term. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with whom Trump has been eager to restart talks, is likely to be a key part of that effort. However, there is little incentive at the moment for Kim to respond, analysts say. North Korea has expanded its nuclear and missile arsenal, while Pyongyang's ties with Russia and China are the best in years. US and South Korean officials see fading chances of a meeting this year, with Washington receiving no response from Pyongyang ahead of a regional summit in China this month. Trump has referred to North Korea as a nuclear power, a status that allies in the region and the West have refused to recognize. If Trump were to bring Kim back to the table, he might need to offer more than partial sanctions relief, but such concessions could face hurdles at home from a Democratic-controlled Congress and Trump's limited time in office.