1/ Kim Jong Un may not acknowledge that Biden is President until Jan. 21, partly out of respect for Trump, who hasn’t and may never concede. Kim has adhered to his understandings with Trump since June 2018 and not tested long-range missiles or conducted nuclear tests. Kim's

2/ position to Biden is likely to be that the U.S. must build on his agreement with Trump. Conversely, if Kim were to test a long-range missile (provocation) in early 2021, he would unilaterally break his understanding with Trump’s successor. The likely reason Kim might break

3/ that understanding is if Biden declares in his early days as President that Kim’s agreement with Trump is not binding on him. The Biden Administration should therefore make clear it is willing to negotiate with Kim and will abide by the understandings he reached with his

4/ predecessor as long as Kim does likewise. He could also offer COVID assistance. Let’s just hope that Trump doesn’t destroy his letters to Kim, which he wouldn’t even show to Bob Woodward, and that the full negotiating record will be preserved.