South Korea slams Bolton book as ‘distorting the reality’ of nuclear talks

South Korea slammed former White House national security adviser John Bolton for distorting the facts regarding nuclear talks between leaders of the U.S. and the Koreas in his forthcoming memoir. 

South Korea’s national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, said Bolton’s description of top-level consultation in his new book “The Room Where It Happened,” is not accurate. 

“It does not reflect accurate facts and substantially distorts facts,” Chung said in a statement, according to Reuters. 

He also accused Bolton of “being inaccurate” and “distorting the reality,” according to The Washington Post.

According to excerpts of Bolton’s book published by various news outlets, he details conversations before and after three meetings between the U.S., South Korea and North Korea. 

Chung said the publication set a “dangerous precedent,” but did not elaborate on specific areas South Korea saw as inaccurate, according to Reuters. 

“Unilaterally publishing consultations made based on mutual trust violates the basic principles of diplomacy and could severely damage future negotiations,” he said.

Chung delivered to President Trump a meeting invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018 saying he was “committed to denuclearization,” according to the Post. He reportedly went on to play a significant role in ensuing encounters between Tump and Kim regarding denuclearization. 

In his book, Bolton reportedly accused South Korean President Moon Jae-in of overselling to Trump and Kim the benefits of engaging. Bolton believed the Moon administration’s agenda was more aimed at improving relations with North Korea than to get a substantial denuclearization commitment, according to the Post. 

Trump and administration officials have also criticized Bolton over the release of his book, which also alleges Trump solicited Chinese President Xi Jinping’s assistance in winning reelection. 

Democrats have also been critical of Bolton over the allegations in his book after refusing to testify as part of House Democrats’ impeachment probe into Trump last year.