U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Allison Hooker as under secretary of state for political affairs, a seasoned diplomat whose Korea expertise suggests Washington may pursue renewed talks with Pyongyang in the coming months and years, according to experts.

Hooker, a veteran Korea specialist, played a key role in past Trump administration negotiations with Pyongyang. Her nomination on Tuesday comes as the White House has been appointing other key foreign policy officials with prior experience engaging North Korea.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested a shift awayfrom the Biden administration’s sanctions-focused approach to dealings with Pyongyang, while Defense Secretary