Trump's Pursuit of Summit Raises Concerns of Legitimacy for Kim Jong-un Regime

Trump's Remarks Acknowledging North Korea as Nuclear Power Spark Controversy

President Donald Trump's comments appearing to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power, made to reporters aboard Air Force One on October 24th during his Asia trip, are expected to cause significant repercussions. Trump stated, "I think North Korea is somewhat of a Nuclear Power," seemingly accepting the reality of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. This statement deviates somewhat from the US government's long-held principle of "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID)" of North Korea, raising questions about potential shifts in US policy towards the country. Notably, Trump's remarks come ahead of his summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, intensifying interest in how the North Korean nuclear issue will be addressed during the meeting. Some analysts suggest Trump's comments could signal a new phase in US-North Korea relations. Trump's statement can be interpreted as leaving the door open for resuming dialogue with North Korea while realistically acknowledging its nuclear capabilities for negotiation purposes. However, this approach could be seen as validating North Korea's gains through nuclear development, potentially encouraging other nations to pursue nuclear weapons. Furthermore, some critics argue that Trump's focus on securing a summit with North Korea could inadvertently legitimize Kim Jong-un's regime. Michael McFaul, a professor at Stanford University, warned in a video interview with this publication on October 24th, "If President Trump focuses solely on achieving a summit, it will only grant legitimacy to Kim Jong-un's regime," urging a cautious approach. McFaul further emphasized the need for the United States to revive democratic leadership and recommit to Liberal Internationalism, advocating for greater unity among democratic nations against authoritarian regimes. In this context, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung faces the challenge of achieving tangible progress on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue during his second summit with President Trump on October 29th. President Lee is expected to emphasize to President Trump that North Korea's nuclear development threatens the security not only of the Korean Peninsula but of Northeast Asia as a whole, and to present concrete measures for North Korea's denuclearization. President Lee is also likely to convey South Korea's security concerns to President Trump and to reaffirm the strength of the US-South Korea alliance. However, some analysts suggest that Trump's recent remarks have clouded the outlook for the summit, as his apparent acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear power raises the possibility of concessions during negotiations with North Korea. In conclusion, President Trump's remarks acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear power are expected to significantly impact future US policy towards North Korea and will likely be a key agenda item during the summit with President Lee Jae-myung. The South Korean government must work closely with President Trump to achieve tangible progress on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Simultaneously, it must urge a firm international response to North Korea's nuclear development and pursue a combination of dialogue and pressure to guide North Korea toward denuclearization. Furthermore, it must strive to maintain a strong US-South Korea alliance for South Korea's security and to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries.

President Lee Jae-myung Deep in Thought Ahead of Summit with President Trump

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is deeply contemplating his strategy ahead of his second summit with US President Donald Trump on October 29th. President Trump's recent remarks seemingly acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear power have forced him to re-evaluate the goals and strategies for the upcoming meeting. President Lee bears the significant responsibility of achieving tangible progress on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue while simultaneously reaffirming the strength of the US-South Korea alliance and addressing South Korea's security concerns. However, President Trump's remarks have further clouded the outlook for the summit, increasing the pressure on President Lee. President Lee plans to make it clear to President Trump that North Korea's nuclear development threatens the security not only of the Korean Peninsula but of Northeast Asia as a whole, and to present concrete measures for North Korea's denuclearization. President Lee is also likely to convey South Korea's security concerns to President Trump and to reaffirm the strength of the US-South Korea alliance. However, President Trump's remarks could disrupt President Lee's plans, as his apparent acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear power raises the possibility of concessions during negotiations with North Korea. If President Trump makes concessions during negotiations with North Korea, this could pose a serious threat to South Korea's security. Therefore, President Lee must clearly convey South Korea's concerns about North Korea's nuclear development to President Trump and confirm the US's firm commitment to North Korea's denuclearization. Furthermore, President Lee must emphasize the importance of the US-South Korea alliance to President Trump and request US support for South Korea's security. President Lee is expected to exert every effort to achieve tangible progress on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and to reaffirm the strength of the US-South Korea alliance during the upcoming summit. However, President Trump's remarks have clouded the outlook for the summit, increasing the pressure on President Lee. Michael McFaul, a professor at Stanford University, expressed concern about the upcoming summit, revealing a critical perspective on President Trump's approach. In a video interview with this publication on October 24th, McFaul warned, "If President Trump focuses solely on achieving a summit, it will only grant legitimacy to Kim Jong-un's regime." McFaul further emphasized the need for the United States to revive democratic leadership and recommit to Liberal Internationalism, advocating for greater unity among democratic nations against authoritarian regimes. McFaul's remarks indicate concern about President Trump's North Korea policy and can be interpreted as urging President Lee to adopt a more cautious and strategic approach during the summit. In conclusion, President Lee Jae-myung faces the difficult task of simultaneously achieving two goals – resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and strengthening the US-South Korea alliance – ahead of his summit with President Trump. President Trump's remarks have clouded the outlook for the summit, increasing the pressure on President Lee, but the South Korean government must use the summit to achieve tangible progress on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. To this end, President Lee is expected to seek concrete measures for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through close cooperation with President Trump and to exert every effort to reaffirm the strength of the US-South Korea alliance.