South Korea's national security chief, Chung Eui-yong, briefs US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office about his visit to North Korea, in Washington on March 8. Photo: Presidential Blue House / Yonhap via Reuters
Robert E. McCoy, Asia Times: Trump knew of Kim’s invitation long before it was received
The paper trail leading to the North Korea-US summit is longer than thought, but some Americans worry that Trump may be played by the wily Kim.
Media around the world have reacted with astonishment at how quickly the summit between North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and American President Donald Trump appears to have been agreed upon. However, prior to the surprise announcement on the White House lawn, there were signs – not widely reported – that something was afoot.
Kim is always probing for advantage in his dealings with Seoul and Washington and his advisors saw the environment in South Korea with the liberal Moon administration as ripe – but to be sure, other factors were also at play. For convenience, here is a brief recap of the more salient dynamics:
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WNU Editor: The above author may be onto something here, but I think he is wrong in his focus on President Trump .... I think this is more South Korean - North Korean back-channels at work. The South Koreans for the past two decades have been trying to lessen tensions on the Peninsula, and to lay the groundwork for mutual economic development and political stability. In turn .... the North Korean leadership have had an ambivalent view of these efforts .... they have taken what they wanted, but for them the status quo was the preferred option. President Trump's successful push for sanctions has changed the dynamics for North Korea .... especially since the imposition of new UN sanctions a few months ago, and a time frame of two years for implementation. The writing is now on the wall .... and I am sure the North Koreans know it. So enter the South Koreans who understand the situation perfectly, and are now giving the Kim regime an out. Will this succeed .... I do not know. But this is the best opportunity that I have seen in my lifetime for real change in North Korea, and if President Trump becomes the instrument for South Korea and North Korea to accomplish it .... so be it.
