Seoul: Any renewed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un must be meticulously coordinated with South Korea to ensure the security of the nation and advance the denuclearization agenda. According to Yonhap News Agency, The Wall Street Journal revealed on Tuesday that President Trump has directed his aides to arrange a summit with Kim Jong-un this fall. Discussions are underway about potentially scheduling this meeting during Trump's visit to Asia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.
Last year, an attempt to meet Kim during the APEC summit in Gyeongju fell through, but Trump is making another effort this year. As part of these efforts, he has unilaterally announced a reduction in joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., which were initially scheduled to continue through August 27 but will now conclude early on Friday. This move is perceived as a preliminary step toward the potential summit.
A meeting between Trump and Kim during Trump's second term was anticipated, but its timing is raising concerns. Trump's approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest point, following the lack of clear achievements in international conflicts, including Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. The summit with Kim could be seen as a strategic political maneuver ahead of the November midterm elections.
International media and diplomatic experts caution that the negotiations would occur under conditions vastly different from those during Trump's first-term summits with Kim in 2018 and 2019. North Korea has made significant advancements in its nuclear capabilities, acknowledged its status as a nuclear-armed state in its Constitution, and strengthened its alliances with China and Russia, potentially giving Pyongyang an upper hand in negotiations.
Additionally, the pursuit of the summit comes amidst growing disagreements within the South Korea-U.S. alliance over pivotal issues, such as the implementation of trade and security agreements, the transfer of wartime operational control, and military support in the Strait of Hormuz. It is crucial for the South Korean government to ensure that its perspective is integrated into the summit preparations and discussions. This necessitates urgent coordination between Seoul and Washington to address the various disputes currently challenging the alliance.
The public should remain cautious and avoid viewing summit diplomacy as a panacea influenced by the political agendas of either government. If the Trump-Kim meeting proceeds, the primary objective should be the denuclearization of North Korea.