South Korean Media: [Editorial] Trump's Visit to South Korea Must Not Become an Opportunity to Acknowledge North Korea as a Nuclear Power

Summary: Trump said before his visit to South Korea that "North Korea is a nuclear power"; The South Korea-US Summit should confirm the principle of complete denuclearization.

US President Trump made comments again that seemed to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power. On the 24th, during a press conference on his plane en route to Asia, when asked by the media whether he was open to dialogue with North Korea as a nuclear power, he said, "I think North Korea is a nuclear power (Nuclear Power)." President Trump also repeatedly emphasized that he maintains a good personal relationship with Chairman Kim Jong-un. The current official policy of the US government still emphasizes the denuclearization of North Korea; therefore, Trump's remarks are likely a bait intentionally released considering the planned two-day visit to South Korea starting on the 29th, in hopes of a surprise meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-un. Trump also stated, "If Kim Jong-un wants to meet me, I am open to it."

The issue is that Trump's personal calculations may lead to the de facto acknowledgment of North Korea as a nuclear power. Chairman Kim Jong-un stated in a speech at the Supreme People's Assembly last month, "If the United States gives up its obsession with denuclearization and acknowledges reality, we have no reason not to face the United States," meaning that if the United States treats North Korea's nuclear status as a given fact, North Korea and the United States could hold a summit. North Korea might interpret Trump's statement about "nuclear power" as a sign that the US accepts North Korea's demands, while Trump, who is eager for the Nobel Peace Prize, may use the North Korean nuclear issue as a achievement to resolve various international disputes.

If Trump meets North Korea during his visit to South Korea and prompts North Korea to return to the negotiation table, this itself may have a positive significance. However, if the US uses this as a reason to de facto acknowledge North Korea's nuclear status, the Korean Peninsula will be under nuclear threat, and South Korea will face the worst outcome of living under the constant threat of nuclear weapons, and even the possibility of a "nuclear domino effect" in Northeast Asia cannot be ruled out.

We must not shake the international security order, especially the nuclear order in Northeast Asia, for the sake of President Trump's personal goals. Even if North Korea and the United States engage in dialogue, the starting point must always be the principle of "comprehensive denuclearization." The South Korean government should clearly convey this concern to the US. During the process of North Korea and the US engaging in contact, there must not be a phenomenon where South Korea is excluded (Korea Passing).

President Lee Jae-myung will hold the second summit with President Trump on the 29th. There are many issues that the South Korea-US leaders need to address, including reaching an agreement on trade negotiations, revising the Atomic Energy Agreement, etc. In this meeting, the security issue related to the North Korean nuclear issue should also be discussed as a core topic. It is hoped that, based on strengthening the South Korea-US cooperation, we can deeply discuss the roles of "Peace Faker" and "Pace Maker" mentioned by President Lee Jae-myung. In the remaining two days, the South Korean government should make full preparations to turn this South Korea-US summit into an opportunity to consolidate the alliance.

Source: JoongAng Daily

Note: In the context of South Korea, North Korea is referred to as North Korea. This article has replaced North Korea with North Korea.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847200300428300/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.