The Trump administration has appointed a senior executive at carmaker Ford as US special representative to North Korea, reactivating the empty post in a bid to make progress on Washington’s efforts to dismantle the country’s extensive nuclear programme. 

The appointment of Steve Biegun grants a reprieve to Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, who has led North Korea talks for months alongside his job as America’s top diplomat. It hands a leading role to Mr Biegun, who was previously tipped to become President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, and who draws support from both Mr Pompeo and Jim Mattis, defence secretary, according to a national security official.

The two diplomats are due to travel to Pyongyang for Mr Pompeo’s fourth trip — and Mr Biegun’s first — next week. John Bolton, national security adviser, said at the weekend he expected Mr Pompeo to meet with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. The pair did not meet during Mr Pompeo’s controversial July trip, after which some Korean officials accused him of making “unilateral” and “gangster-like” demands.