Six months ago, we couldnt have fathomed a tête-a-tête between President Donald Trump and North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un. Back then, each was comparing the size of their nuclear button and trading personal insults.
The archrivals are now scheduled to meet Tuesday; the first time that a sitting U.S. president has met with a North Korean leader.
For the United States, the primary goal is for North Korea to begin the process of denuclearization. Because its nuclear capabilities are what got North Korea to the bargaining table in the first place, thats a tall order and will take much convincing Mr. Kim that components other than armaments make for a successful country.
Mr. Kim, meanwhile, wants North Korea to be recognized as an equal, legitimized, in his view, by its sophisticated nuclear and ballistic missile arsenal.
A rebuild of its economy is also on Mr. Kims agenda through a relaxation of sanctions, but in what may come as a surprise to Mr. Trump, not in leaps and bounds. Mr. Kim isnt as keen as Mr. Trump would hope that economic assistance is the be all and end all for North Korea. After 65 years of family dictatorship, Mr. Kim is reticent to bring success too quickly for fear new wealth might undermine his authoritarian rule.
North Korea would also like to see it and South Korea bring a formal end to the Korean War, 1950-53, without which the United States and China would insist on playing a role. Mr. Trump is likely amenable to that inasmuch as it would involve a withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea, and perhaps lead to an eventual reunification between the two Koreas, lessening Chinas overall influence.
PRESIDENT Trump has assured us that as a skilled dealmaker he is uniquely situated to get the ball rolling. Within the first minute, of meeting the North Korean leader, President Trump has said he would know whether a deal is possible, by just my touch, my feel. Thats what I do, he said.
The moment they sit down, Mr. Kim will be able to claim victory for becoming a legitimate player on the world stage.
Fair enough.
But if the end result is to make North Korea less of a nuclear threat, the indulgence of both leaders is worth it.
Susan Lynn
