FILE PHOTO: A test launch of ground-to-ground medium long-range ballistic rocket Hwasong-10 © KCNA / Reuters
On April 18, US President Donald Trump stated that CIA Director Mike Pompeo, picked to be the next secretary of state, had traveled to North Korea to meet the Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un to discuss the denuclearization of Pyongyang.
Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un in North Korea last week. Meeting went very smoothly and a good relationship was formed. Details of Summit are being worked out now. Denuclearization will be a great thing for World, but also for North Korea!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018
Afterwards, Trump tweeted that the North Korea has “agreed to denuclearization”:
Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd of Fake News NBC just stated that we have given up so much in our negotiations with North Korea, and they have given up nothing. Wow, we haven’t given up anything & they have agreed to denuclearization (so great for World), site closure, & no more testing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2018
However, a bit later US President decidend that the North Korean nuclear crisis “is a long way” from being resolved:
….We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t – only time will tell….But the work I am doing now should have been done a long time ago!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2018
Probably, the US President read some news on the third plenary meeting of the seventh Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) that took place in Pyongyang on April 20.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un adressed the meeting stressing that the country’s work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles is finished.
“He said that no nuclear test and intermediate-range and inter-continental ballistic rocket test-fire are necessary for the DPRK now, given that the work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets was finished as the whole processes of developing nuclear weapons were carried out in a scientific way and in regular sequence, and the development of delivery and strike means was also made scientifically. He added that the mission of the northern nuclear test ground has thus come to an end,” the state agency of North Korea Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported
The KCNA quoted the six-point resolution:
“First, we solemnly declare that the sub-critical nuclear test, underground nuclear test, making nuclear weapon smaller and lighter and the development of the super-large nuclear weapon and delivery means have been carried out in order in the course of the campaign for implementing the party’s line of simultaneously developing the two fronts and thus the work for putting on a higher level the technology of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets has been reliably realized.”
“Second, we will discontinue nuclear test and inter-continental ballistic rocket test-fire from April 21, Juche 107 (2018).”
“The northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK will be dismantled to transparently guarantee the discontinuance of the nuclear test.”
“Third, the discontinuance of the nuclear test is an important process for the worldwide disarmament, and the DPRK will join the international desire and efforts for the total halt to the nuclear test.”
“Fourth, the DPRK will never use nuclear weapons nor transfer nuclear weapons or nuclear technology under any circumstances unless there are nuclear threat and nuclear provocation against the DPRK.”
“Fifth, we will concentrate all efforts on building a powerful socialist economy and markedly improving the standard of people’s living through the mobilization of all human and material resources of the country.”
“Sixth, we will create international environment favorable for the socialist economic construction and facilitate close contact and active dialogue with neighboring countries and the international community in order to defend peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the world.”
In other words, North Korea has de-facto declared that it’s already a nuclear power.
The recent developments came ahead of the coming April 27 summit between the leaders of North and South Koreas. The Korean summit will take place at a South Korean building on the southern side of Panmunjom. This means that Kim must cross the border into South Korea in what would be the first such act by the North Korean leader since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
According to media reprots, Seoul announced its desire to discuss a peace treaty with Pyongyang to replace the 65-year old armistice.
The South Korean President Moon Jae In welcomed the North Korea’s decision to denuclearize, Reuters reported on April 22:
“North Korea’s decision to freeze its nuclear program is a significant decision for the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Jae In stated.
“It is a green light that raises the chances of positive outcomes at the North’s summits with South Korea and the United States. If North Korea goes the path of complete denuclearization starting from this, then a bright future for North Korea can be guaranteed.”
At present, the US administration officials are reportedly preparing for a summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. This summit would be the first-ever meeting between a serving US president and a North Korean leader. The meeting is scheduled for May or June, according to CNBC.
The two summits could define the future relations between North Korea and the US-led bloc. Even if North and South Koreas soon express the wish to unify and begin the political work to that end, the US influence in the military “theatre” may still rule the day.
NK has clearly put the ball in the US court. Which it is unlikely that Trump will be able to deliver the goods, just like his inability to get out of Syria or Afghanistan. The north will say that we’re willing to denuclearize as part of a US withdrawal and other nuclear powers denuclearizing. And Trump will say no way, we’re not leaving or giving up our nuclear weapons. And the north will respond that when you’re serious, let us know and we can address the issue then.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un adressed the meeting stressing that the country’s work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles is finished.
of course this is not true
Similar to the Syrian missile strike success that all missiles hit the target….
All Trump speeches should be followed by a disclaimer “Reader beware: known liar”. Doubt that Kim even met with Pompeo.
Freezing ones nuclear program when you already have nuclear weapons is much different from ‘denuclearization’. At one point in time, North Korea would have been willing to forgo nukes in exchange for a non-aggression agreement with the U.S. (which they repeatedly refused to give). The U.S. has since proven to be an untrustworthy partner. I doubt very much they will allow themselves to become vulnerable to US aggression.09