America’s Salesman in Charge Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un signed a one-page joint statement at a dramatic ceremony in Singapore early this morning affirming their “unwavering commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
The signed document, which came after a historic first meeting between Trump and Kim, does not detail the steps North Korea will take to denuclearize or how the U.S. might verify that process. The president described it as the first step in a longer negotiation process.
“We’ve gotten a lot,” Trump said. “All I can say, they want to make a deal.”
Trump said he talked up North Korea’s real estate and beachside hotel opportunities with Kim.
What is in the agreement?
- In it, the U.S. agrees to offer some unspecified “security guarantees” for Pyongyang in exchange for an “unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
- The U.S. and North Korea agreed to establish new diplomatic relations in an effort to build “a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.”
- The U.S. will halt or suspend military exercises in South Korea: “I think it’s tremendously provocative,” Trump said of “war games,” promising U.S. taxpayers they will save a “tremendous amount of money” if they end.
- The U.S. and North Korea agreed to commit to recovering, identifying and repatriating the remains of soldiers killed in the Korean War.
What is not in the agreement?
- A timetable for denuclearization. “It does take a long time to pull off complete denuclearization, scientifically,” Trump said. “You have to wait certain periods of time…but once you start the process it’s pretty much over, you can’t use them, and that will happen soon.”
- Details about how verification will take place. Trump vaguely said a mix of U.S. government personnel and independent inspectors would make up a verification team.
- The future for 29,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
- Marking an official end to the Korean War.
- The release of Japanese political prisoners. “I brought it up, they’re going to be working on it,” Trump said. “They didn’t put it down in the document but they will be working on it.”
- North Korea’s atrocious record on human rights.
So, do you think Kim is just toying with Trump?
Not sure?
Watch the video that recently aired on History Channel, North Korea Dark Secrets, and ask yourself that question.
In my opinion, of course he is.
Alistair Reign News Blog 