President Trump planned meeting with Kim Jong Un was expected to soon take place. This was a dramatic turn from the stand Trump had taken over the last several months.
Kim reached out to Trump and he accepted. The World now watched to see what the outcome would be.
Hillary Clinton warned that they could be diplomatic danger if these talks took placed. Her main point was the lack of experience with such matters. What was more worrisome was that history had proven North Korea unreliable when it came to nuclear arms.
Clinton’s Say
“If you want to talk to Kim Jong Un about his nuclear weapons you need experienced diplomats,” Clinton said. “These are people familiar with the dossiers and who know the North Koreans and their language.”
“You cannot have diplomacy without diplomats,” she said, adding “the danger is not being recognized by the Trump government.”
Just how bad could the situation be and was Clinton right in what she said?
Bill Richardson, veteran diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations made similar statements.
“It’s a real opportunity … I worry about the President’s unpreparedness and lack of discipline. But I commend him for his very bold move in accepting the invitation,” he said. “But this is not ‘The Apprentice’ or a reality TV event. It’s a negotiation with an unpredictable leader who has at least 20 nuclear weapons and who threatens the United States.”
Trump’s Say
Trump seemingly joked about the meeting with Kim. He said he might have to leave quickly, who knows?
“Who knows what’s going to happen?” said Trump. “I may leave fast or we may sit down and make the greatest deal for the world.”
Trump made these comments as he pondered if the meeting would actually happen.
“North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
South Korea’s National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong said he had briefed Trump on the meeting with Kim.
“I told President Trump that, in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests,” Eui-yong said.
“The expectation is that the talks would lead to a discussion around a conclusion that we’re ready to engage in negotiations,” a senior State Department official said.
Hopes are high but the reality was clear. No one knew what to expect when it came to such meetings. Kim was a very unpredictable person and Trump wasn’t too far away himself.