Donald Trump’s visit to North Korea was a much debated and unexpected historic event in world politics. On June 30, 2019, Trump made history by becoming the first current US president to visit North Korea. But was this monumental event the first time Trump went to North Korea, or had he been there before?
Trump first alluded to the possibility of visiting North Korea during his election campaign in 2016. At this time, North Korea was still not known to be a potential US ally. In fact, quite the opposite – North Korea viewed the United States as a major threat, and the Trump administration explored hardline options to defend the nation’s safety and security.
However, Trump continued to express interest in visiting the isolated nation. In Spring 2018, both Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the ‘Peace Talks’ in Singapore, sparking further speculation about the possibility of a Trump visit to North Korea.
It wasn’t until June 2019 that the meeting eventually took place. Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, crossed the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea and stepped onto North Korean soil. Following several hours of lengthy and intense negotiations, a joint statement was made, signalling progress in the historic relationship between the two nations.
Trump and Kim agreed to officials from both countries meeting on a regular basis to further develop the agreement. North Korean human rights, which has been heavily debated in the US senate, was not discussed or mentioned in the statement.
The historic event was broadcasted live on US media, with every aspect of the president’s first foreign meeting as an elected official being heavily scrutinised by experts.
This groundbreaking meeting was praised by many of the Trump administration, though they cautiously noted that this is only the beginning of a possible ‘grand bargain’ between the United States and North Korea, which has been a long-term ambition of Trump.
Effects of Trump’s Visit
Trump’s visit to North Korea has encouraged some positive steps that could lead to an improvement in overall relations between the two countries. Following the talks, both countries agreed to resume stalled joint-military exercises that had taken place for decades in East Asia.
In addition, North Korea has relaxed its stance on some of its harsher policies. It released three US citizens imprisoned in North Korea, allowed US observers on its weapons sites, and expressed openness to potential US military bases in North Korea.
Furthermore, North Korea has also expressed its willingness to allow access to reputable international organisations to finally inspect its nuclear capabilities, although no solid agreement has been reached so far.
In terms of relations between North Korea and South Korea, Kim Jong-un took Trump to the demilitarised zone and expressed his desire to welcome the South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, to the North. South and North Korea have now held more than 20 joint meetings in 2019, and previous threats of war and atrocities have started to disappear.
Trump’s Support from the US
In the United States, the president’s visit to North Korea has been praised by some and criticised by others. Supporters of the president argue that Trump is leading the way for future progress to be made in peace and democracy between the two countries. Critics, however, argue that this could be a slippery slope, with the president “deluding himself” into thinking that North Korea will eventually adhere to his terms.
Others argue that Trump is using his ‘hawkishness’ as a guise to further his own ambitions, while overlooking human rights abuses that still take place in North Korea. These critics argue that Trump’s ‘grand bargain’ will only be successful if a serious focus on the issue of human rights is included in the negotiations.
Indeed, the thorny issue of human rights was not addressed during Trump’s meeting with North Korean officials, as well as the environmental security issues that continue to plague North Korea. Global Think Tanks, such as the International Crisis Group, has raised concerns about this, arguing that unless human rights is included in the negotiations, the potential breakthroughs are not worth it.
Perhaps the most relevant question for now is, what is the future of Trump’s visit to North Korea? No one can say for sure, but the event has certainly sparked an important dialogue, and one that will be watched closely in the coming months.
Trump’s Unfulfilled Promises
One of Trump’s promises he made while meeting Kim Jong-un was that the US would lift economic sanctions on North Korea. Despite this promise, the economic sanctions on North Korea have still not been lifted, raising doubts over the future of negotiations between the two countries.
Trump’s administration seems to suggest that the economic sanctions should be lifted in exchange for verifiable and irreversible steps towards denuclearisation. This is a key point of contention and, as of yet, North Korea has made no serious commitment to denuclearisation.
In short, Trump’s visit to North Korea has been historic, and it has certainly opened up a new dialogue between the two countries. However, it’s clear that much work still needs to be done before real progress can be made. Trump certainly has his work cut out if his lofty ambitions are to be realised.
The Outcome of the Talks
The talks did not result in any groundbreaking outcome, but it did set the groundwork for a meaningful dialogue between the two countries. Numerous follow up meetings have already been conducted, and it is expected that more will follow.
In the meantime, North Korea has made several concessions since Trump’s historic visit. These include releasing some US prisoners, allowing US access to weapons sites, and expressing openness to US military bases in North Korea.
It is unclear whether these concessions, or any future agreements, will go far enough to convince the US to lift its economic sanctions against North Korea. However, it is likely that Kim Jong-un will continue to make small, incremental changes as North Korea continues to search for a way out of its economic isolation.
The relationship between the US and North Korea remains delicate, but Trump’s visit to North Korea marked an important milestone in the two country’s fragile relationship.
Trump’s Commitment to Talks
Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to the talks and he continues to express optimism that a ‘deal’ between the two countries can be reached. The US president is eager to secure a deal which could lead to the denuclearisation of North Korea, and together with Kim Jong-un, the two have expressed a willingness to engage in open dialogue and negotiation.
This willingness to engage in talks and to resolve issues diplomatically has been welcomed by the international community. However, some experts worry that Trump may be naïve about the North Korean regime, and that he may be underestimating the complexities of the situation.
Nevertheless, Trump has refused to give up and has remained firm on his commitment to keep the talks going. He is guardedly optimistic that with the right kind of dialogue, a deal between the US and North Korea can be achieved.
Reasons of Hope
Since Trump’s visit to North Korea, there have been signs of hope that the negotiations between the two countries can result in a meaningful and successful resolution.
The goodwill that has been generated by Trump’s visit has certainly helped ease the tensions between the two countries. There are also signs that the North Korean government is paying attention to the demands of the US, as evidenced by their willingness to repatriate US prisoners, and their openness to allowing US access to weapons sites.
Additionally, Kim Jong-un has also expressed a desire to reunite with South Korea, as evidenced by his decision to take Trump to the demilitarised zone. This is yet another promising sign that the two nations can put their differences aside and work together to create a more stable and secure future.
It remains to be seen whether Trump’s visit to North Korea will bear fruit in the long-term, but for now, the signs are encouraging.
