The news just keeps on comin’.
On Monday, an American delegation — led by U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim — arrived at the North/South border crossing and traveled into North Korea.
Despite the summit having been called off last week, Trump was optimistic Saturday:
“It’s moving along very nicely. So we’re looking at June 12th in Singapore. That hasn’t changed.”
Sung is to meet with Choe Son Hui, the North’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. She previously called Vice President Mike Pence a “political dummy” and essentially threatened the U.S. with nuclear war. Not good. But like a really bad relationship, suddenly things seem back on.
US VP Pence a "political dummy," says N Korea's Vice-Foreign Minister.
"Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behavior of the United States," she added. https://t.co/yZMt7p4sw6
— ZoominKorea (@zoominkorea1) May 24, 2018
BREAKING: A team of U.S. officials led by Sung Kim crossed into North Korea today to hold summit preparation talks, despite uncertainty surrounding the June 12 Trump-Kim meeting. The North Korean delegation is led by vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui. https://t.co/eLPZiB68cC pic.twitter.com/XwRwNqYtxo
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) May 27, 2018
Victor Cha, NBC Korean Affairs Analyst, offered his two cents:
“[North Korea wants] a peace treaty because it validates them as a nuclear weapons state and ensures that Trump won’t attack…It most importantly means money.”
According to South Korean President Moon, who had a surprise summit with Kim Jong-un Saturday, Kim wants to meet with Trump and is committed to doing so. However, Kim is worred about the United States attacking and ousting him if he makes himself too vulnerable.
As indicated in prior communication between the White House and South Korea, things didn’t go so well for Muammar Gaddafi when he agreed to eliminate his nuclear program (as in, he’s no longer alive).
Nevertheless, things are looking up. But, as one NBC reporter put it, “the problems of trust, and what [the U.S. and South Korea] mean by denuclearization, are still far from resolved.”
Another meeting between the North and South will happen Friday. Furthermore, a White House team will soon be preparing in Singapore for the history-making summit.
So here we go again.
Takers on whether the meeting will happen? Place your bets in the Comments section.
Check out my previous coverage for more of the back story of Trump and Kim here and here.
And follow Alex Parker on Twitter.
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