 US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un |
Last Thursday, President Trump sent a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un blaming North Korea’s anger and hostility for derailing the summit. But less than 24 hours later, Trump changed his mind and said the meeting could still take place as scheduled. Preparations for the meeting have resumed.
Meeting at the two sides’ wish
After President Trump decided to cancel the summit, North Korea softened its rhetoric and said it was ready to dialogue with the US anytime.
Last Saturday, Kim met South Korean President Mon Jea-in to discuss ways to make the US-North Korea summit successful if it takes place. It was the first time in history that two inter-Korean meetings were held in the same month. At the surprise meeting, the two leaders agreed on the need to make the summit successful and achieve a long-lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. Even before the meeting, the North had dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test site where it conducted 6 nuclear tests.
On Sunday the US sent a delegation led by former Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim, who is now US Ambassador to the Philippines to North Korea to discuss preparations for the summit. Another US delegation led by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Joe Hagin visited Singapore event.
Efforts to narrow differences
These activities show a desire to narrow the differences between the two long-time adversaries but many observers are skeptical about the outcome of the summit.
The South Korean Broadcasting System reported that the US and North Korea have discussed a final plan for denuclearizing of the Korean peninsula and ensuring the safety of the Pyongyang regime. Both will likely discuss a plan to move the all Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles out of North Korea. The two sides are reported to have finalized an agenda for the summit which is still scheduled for June 12th in Singapore.