SO THE Trump-Kim summit is finished, and now that the celebrations are over, it seems that it was more or less a success. According to most reports the summit accomplished several things.
First, it resulted in the closure of North Korean nuclear test facilities. Secondly, it secured an informal commitment to peace. Third, it opened the way for Trump to visit North Korea and Kim to visit the US. Fourth, the US managed to get the North Koreans to send back the remains of US soldiers who died during the Korean War. And finally, the US agreed to end several training exercises in the peninsula.
The biggest accomplishment, though, was creating the possibility of peace between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea. If the situation improves, and if the state visits push through, then the Korean peninsula may see the end of its decades-long war. I’ve discussed this before in previous essays, but it’s worth revisiting nonetheless. The fact that the summit even took place on neutral territory is cause for celebration.
Aside from the concessions, the summit also offered both sides the chance to build up their credibility. Kim took the opportunity to pose for some great pictures in Singapore, pictures that he may use to build up support and political capital in North Korea (if he so chooses). For Trump, acting as the peace-keeper president will strengthen his position in Washington, and shut up many of his critics. (At one point, many Trump critics hoped that Trump’s summit will fail merely because they hated Trump more than the prospect of peace in the Korean peninsula). So all things considered, yes, the summit was a big success.
However, there is also a caveat to this whole situation. Despite all the positive news coming from the peninsula, it’s also important to put things in perspective. All of the concessions (on both sides) that were given during the summit are temporary and may easily be taken away if the situation changes. The US could bring back war games at the drop of a hat, and the North Koreans could do likewise with their tests. So although the summit was a success, it was only a successful first step. More will have to be done to secure peace in the Korean peninsula and by extension, North East Asia.
Kim probably wants peace. Despite the propaganda in North Korea, he knows that his regime cannot stay locked up in the cold war era indefinitely, and if this is indeed the case, then peace is one of his best options, and should that assumption turn out to be true, then there’s a good chance that he will be willing to continue the peace process. As for Trump, there’s no question that pulling off a peace deal in Korea will be very good for his administration and the Republicans. (jdr456@gmail.com/PN)
