That talks that occurred between Washington and Pyongyang right before the fourth nuclear test on January 6 came as no surprise to many long-time North Korea watchers.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday reported that the Obama administration agreed to start negotiations with North Korea to end the Korean War. The proposed talks reportedly fell through when the North declined to make its nuclear weapons program subject to the negotiations.

However, one former South Korean government official said this story was already well-known in Washington, D.C.

“During their unofficial meeting, the South Korean government was skeptical, hoping the U.S.