WASHINGTON: A former U.S. deputy secretary of state expressed expectations on Tuesday that North Korea's security challenges will swiftly ascend to the top of the policy agenda for the incoming Trump administration. This assessment arises from concerns that the North Korean regime might otherwise seek attention through provocative actions. According to Yonhap News Agency, Stephen Biegun, who served as the State Department's No. 2 official and leading nuclear envoy during Trump's first administration, shared these insights during a forum hosted by The Korea Society. Biegun highlighted the possibility of President-elect Donald Trump rekindling his personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un post-inauguration. Biegun remarked, "I don't expect this (North Korean) issue to sit long before it begins to percolate towards the top of the agenda." He added that if the U.S. does not prioritize the issue, North Korea might take steps to ensure it gains attention, as has often been the case historically. Du ring his campaign, Trump emphasized his personal rapport with Kim, alluding to "love letters" from the leader, fueling speculation that Trump might aim to resolve the ongoing nuclear dilemma with North Korea. Trump's first term featured a direct leader-to-leader strategy, including three meetings with Kim, though substantial nuclear negotiations have been stagnant since the unsuccessful Hanoi summit in February 2019. Biegun noted, "I do think there will be some engagements." However, he acknowledged that while it may not be the top priority, Trump's campaign references to North Korea and his personal affinity for Kim would not have gone unnoticed by the North Korean leadership. He also discussed the evolving geopolitical landscape that future U.S. negotiators will face when engaging with Pyongyang. Biegun highlighted the impact of global tensions, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the unprecedented presence of North Korean troops beyond the Korean Peninsula. Addressing North Korea's troop deployment to Russi a, Biegun cautioned the regime about the "full" repercussions and lasting effects of such actions, emphasizing that North Korea is navigating uncharted territory. He pointed out that this move contradicts the juche ideology, which has underpinned North Korea's governance for decades. "North Korea is now dependent upon Russia for aid and for technology in ways that it was loath to be in the past," Biegun explained. He added that by engaging in foreign conflict, North Korea is exposing itself to new geopolitical dynamics, some of which may be beneficial, such as having Russia as a partner and counterbalance to China and the U.S. However, Biegun warned that North Korea's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict essentially equates to a declaration of war against a nation fighting for its sovereignty. Biegun underscored the importance of maintaining the goal of denuclearization in U.S. negotiations with North Korea, as opposed to shifting towards "arms control." He stressed that legitimizing North Korea as a nucl ear state could trigger further nuclear proliferation beyond North Korea. Throughout his tenure as America's lead negotiator on North Korea, Biegun engaged extensively in diplomatic efforts, including preparations for the 2019 Hanoi summit. He currently serves as senior vice president of global public policy at The Boeing Company.