Recent Summit Brings Trump and Kim Closer, But Denuclearization Still Unconfirmed

On Monday, the beginning of the long-awaited summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un took place, with the first talks culminating a day after. Trump came out of the meeting with a very pleased and optimistic attitude, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty in this situation

While it is remarkable that the president was able to build a relationship with the leader of a nation that hadn’t previously shown a spirit of cooperation, the specific commitments both countries have to take moving forward are not exactly crystal clear. Both leaders signed a document to confirm Kim’s commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization and the security support the U.S. will give it through that process. However, it has been stated that the complete and permanent dismantling of the country’s nuclear program was never confirmed or mentioned.

Trump proudly stated after the talks: “We both want to do something. We both are going to do something. And we have developed a very special bond. People are going to be very impressed. People are going to be very happy.” At the press conference that followed, the president mentioned that the denuclearization process was in its very early stages, and that Monday’s meeting was targeted more towards solidifying his bond with the Supreme Leader. He then confessed that the meeting exceeded his expectations, saying that the relationship between the two countries “is going to be a very much different situation than it has in the past.”

Several moments throughout the meeting displayed the feeling and initiative of change between the nations, as Kim and Trump saluted each other in front of several North Korean and U.S. flags—a sight that many had once thought impossible. Kim also noted the unique nature of the situation, stating through a translator: “Today, we had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind. The world will see a major change.”

Hopefully, that “major change” comes sooner rather than later.

Featured Image via: Wikimedia Commons