If you recall, South Korean President Moon Jae-In recently sent officials to North Korea. It apparently went well. In fact, North Korea even suggested that it’d be willing to talk about denuclearization.
“The North side clearly affirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and said it would have no reason to possess nuclear weapons should the safety of its regime be guaranteed and military threats against North Korea removed,” Chung Eui-yong’s statement said. “It made it clear that while dialogue is continuing, it will not attempt any strategic provocations, such as nuclear and ballistic missile tests.”
Possible progress being made in talks with North Korea. For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned. The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2018
Fast forward. Today, South Korean diplomats briefed President Trump. Following that, Trump surprised reporters and promised a “major announcement” on North Korea.
Well, here it is. South Korea’s national security adviser Chung Eui-yong just said that Kim Jong-un is apparently willing to meet with President Trump to discuss denuclearization, and Trump has agreed to meet him by May!
“[Kim] expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible. President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization,” he stated.
South Korean national security adviser: “I told President Trump that in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he’s committed to denuclearization. He pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests.” https://t.co/4hFR3QVIoi pic.twitter.com/vBWktTMuyI
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 9, 2018
South Korean national security adviser: “[Kim] expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible. President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.” https://t.co/4hFR3QVIoi pic.twitter.com/tlYuljdH7p
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 9, 2018
HOLY CRAP.
Can Kim Jong-un be trusted? NO. But still. This is insane. This is a huge breakthrough. It’s unbelievable that North Korea is even willing to have this discussion in the first place, and it’s all because of Trump.