Weekly Roundup: White House Consults DPAA on North Korea, Pyongyang Downgrades London Mission

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of external news on North Korea this week.

White House asked DPAA what it could do should Trump enter into deal with Kim: DPAA director

WASHINGTON -- The White House has asked a Pentagon agency what it could do should U.S. President Donald Trump be able to reach a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the agency's director said Monday, another sign that Trump is looking to resume summitry with Kim.

Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), made the remarks during an online forum, noting that the DPAA has told the White House and the Defense Department that it is "ready" for engagement with Pyongyang for recovering the remains of U.S. troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. POW and MIA stand for prisoner of war and missing in action.

N. Korea downgrades diplomatic mission to London in protest of British sanctions over children's camp

SEOUL -- North Korea has downgraded its diplomatic mission in London in protest against Britain's decision to sanction a North Korean camp over its suspected involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

North Korea's foreign ministry announced the decision on its website Friday, calling it a "diplomatic response" to what it described as a "politically provocative" move.

Expert says Trump may not have problem acknowledging N.K. nuke possession

WASHINGTON -- A prominent expert said Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump may not have a problem with acknowledging North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons as he thinks it is "not his fault," while noting that Pyongyang might wait for the November midterm election outcome before a potential summit with Trump.

Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), made the remarks during a podcast, as Trump is seeking to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year amid questions over whether he would adhere to the long-elusive goal of the North's denuclearization.