Should the Korean War formally end, President Donald Trump should definitely be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, finally be recognized as one of the greatest presidents in US history. This is reality. The only issue is whether the utterly corrupt deep state establishment and alternate reality media will acknowledge same. Sadly, preemptive censorship has become the norm. Who knew..?
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"All The Comments That Are Not Fit to Print" -- Regrettably, it appears that most of the comments here are either about political viewpoints or the NYT editorial positions. Personally, I'd rather see ones that analyze the actual geo-political factors in play.
For instance, the two parties of primary concern are the Koreas -- North and South. It's their peninsula and it's high time that they get things reconciled. Of course, their respective "sponsors" (or proxies -- China and the U.S.) also have interests in any "final peace accord". So it is right and fitting that the two primary parties take those into account and get their respective backers to "sign on" to a peace treaty.
The reality is that both Koreas have demonstrated the will and endurance to survive since the "suspension" of hostilities 65 years ago. South Korea has succeeded as an economic juggernaut while North Korea (whether we like it or not) has demonstrated its strength militarily, including the development of a nuclear capability. Now is the time to support both of them in finding a way of living on their peninsula in their natural cultural harmony.
That's our jobs -- whether we work for the American government, the NYT, or as commentators about the news.
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Take Dennis Rodman on your next visit. Kim likes him. Have him head up a new hoops league in N. Korea. We have to make some western inroads to grease the wheels here. All these talks about stuffy meetings and denuclearization will get us little. Mr. Kim will not give up his one bargaining chip, regardless what he agrees to. Go Rodman!
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I really like South Korea. They are very advanced and techno savvy.
But, if they want to cooperate with Trump, wrong path. Maybe they can do it, maybe not.
The guy adores dictators. You think Kim Jong Un is going to change?
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"Adores dictators". That's nice.
Name three.
Trump and his inept administration are going to ensure a Chinese-dominated Asia in the 21st century. Withdrawing US forces from the ROK has been a Chinese dream since the establishment of the people's republic. That in turn will lead to a militarized Japan, a submissive Philippines and an Indochina left open and naked to further Chinese aggression through means both military and trade-related. Even Australia and New Zealand would reassess their security posture vis-à-vis the US and China. This would represent a debacle of historic proportions.
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It's always fitting to get around to actually deciding that the last conflict is deemed to be over. You know, nice parades, speeches, and all that.
My sense is that Kim Jong Un is starting to find the authoritarian style of rule in China, Singapore, and others more enticing than the meagre rewards of his little hermit Kingdom. That is certainly a step in the right direction. Let's see where this goes.
And absent from the negotiations? The USA. Abdicating our international responsibilities and therefore our international authority and power.
We are headed the way of the British Empire under Fat Donnie
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China has finally decided to bring North Korea to heel. The angry pit bull of Asia is being restrained by its master.
The last thing China needs is a major war, possibly nuclear, on it’s border. China is a world trading power and that would be threatened if a major conflagration were to start.
Credit to Trump (at least for this one) for pushing and credit to China for doing the right thing. Here’s to hoping the peace will hold . . .
I sincerely hope South Korea knows what its getting into.
At the end of the day, NK will never give up their nuclear weapons. Never! They will say anything to get the sanctions reversed and drag out the negotiations on disarmament for as long as they can. Trump is a sucker and they know it.
If peace comes, it won’t be Trump’s doing. The credit would go to the Koreans. Obama’s treaty and the sanctions played a huge part. Trump is just an ignorant bystander.
Some female military guard members in the photo would fit in a Mell Brooks movie...
The DPRK is committed to the reunification of Korea under the thumb of the Kim family. That is unacceptable to South Korea, and anyone who has a modicum of knowledge about the Kim regime. Reunification of a Korea not under the thumb of the Kim family would mean the end of the Kim regime and likely the end of Kim Jung Un's life. So reunification is off the table.
Then what would a peace treaty look like? Both sides agreeing to give up hopes of a reunified Korea and a pledge not to attack the other? But the Kim regime needs the existential fear of South Korea and America to survive.
In the end, this means nothing will be done. I applaud the efforts as it will tease out everyone's positions, but let's not hold our breaths.
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North Korea is not going to denuclearize. Who would? The U.S. doesn't invade nations that in fact have nuclear capabilities (the U.S. pretended Iraq had them the U.S. to justify aggression for other motives).
Nuclear weapons are the only defense against U. S. aggression.
NK may pretend they've denuclearized, but we won't be able to inspect well enough to verify.
This is all show.
This would be a boon to China--take away an excuse to keep American troops in the area. But it would end hostilities. It may improve things for the N. Korean people--it would take away an excuse to deprive them of freedoms. In the long run it would have quite an effect on them. Perhaps lead to an opening up. There should be protections for South Korea. It would change things--be a new era.
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Promises being made by NK aimed at easing sanctions. But, NK not noted for keeping promises - after over 50 years, what has really changed?
We need to look at this whole business as Trump does, which is to say, he's desperately looking for a "win" to give himself legitimacy.
He will give the store away in order to come home with a piece of paper—Chamberlain-like—and proclaim some version of "peace in our time." But in short order the Koreans, North and South, Japan, China and Russia and of course the USA will be at each other's throats. Kim may give up nukes on paper but there will be no open ended, physical monitoring of missiles, research labs, etc.
Trump thinks he's going to be another Nixon. Ain't gonna happen. But there will be plenty of spin. Count on that.
If the North denuclearizes in return for the peace treaty with US, what was the resistance, all the years, on the US part for having the treaty with the North which they always wanted? This seems only to show having nuclear tipped ICBM was a prerequisite for persuading the US. All the rogue countries will keep it in mind.
China is getting closer to her goal: A peace will mean the US-Korean treaty from 1953 may be brought to an end, opening up a re-union between north and south. China does not care if north gets an economic system like south, as long as USA is losening its grip and China can tighten her.
SO SOMEBODY HAS PERSUADED KIM That it's in his own best interest to formally end the war North and South Korea. Clearly, Kim does nothing that is not in his own self-interest (does that remind you of another bad hair guy on the international stage with orange hair and face?). The fact is that Kim sees the enormous wealth in Japan and China. And he wants his piece of the pie. He can only achieve those levels of plunder by opening the borders to international investment and commerce. One big hurdle, though, is to get Kim to waive the requirement for legally sanctioned haircuts. Entrepreneurial types don't like having their sartorial options dictated to them. Oh well, let's not get our britches into a twist until the deal between North and South Korea is signed. Increasing fashion options will follow.
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As Ms Perlez knows, Hugh White's views would be no different if he were a paid agent of Beijing. His remarks here are simply an effort to make mischief on the PRC's behalf.
The Middle East should be in the same stage as Korea which now seems on the brink of achieving reunification. Unfortunately the Middle East remains in a state of volatility which is being exploited by America's enemies Russia and Iran. In this stage of affairs there is still a turf war in which major powers are seeking to take over an entire region. In order to succeed we have to talk tough and make threats. It may seem counterintuitive, but it's too early to talk of peace or to make foolish gestures such as the joke of a nuclear weapons agreement reached by Obama and Kerry with Iran. As it turns out, there is an opportunity here that would not be possible were we in too deep with the Korean situation or at an earlier stage of hostility with the countries in the region. By effecting a peace treaty between North and South Korea and winding down our military presence there we are not only freeing up our military capability for use elsewhere but presenting to the peoples of the Middle East and wherever else foreign powers exert their military might that peace and a better way of life are possible. The path will not be an easy one, but, if there is peace in Korea, then there can be peace anywhere even in the Middle East.
A formal peace treaty would complicate the situation for the American troops there. The US Government, regardless of party affiliation, will not agree to it. Already, the reunification of Germany has proven not ideal for the US and I bet many in the Pentagon and other places wished they never had allowed it to happen.
Why would it be any of their business?
From where do you get your opinions?
I hope the armistice will be replaced by a formal peace treaty, but I do not expect. If it was easy, it would have been done already. I also do not expect North Korea to give up its nuclear arms. The United States should offer North Korea some type of security guarantee but it must get something meaningful in return. Everyone, especially President Trump, must realize that true progress with North Korea will be incremental.
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Whether turns out to be a reality or not,the very expression of the bilateral peace resolve between the two Koreas is as much reflective of the changed international reality as perhaps of the quest for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
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As much as I like the peace treaty to be signed, I don't see that happening with this administration. Possibly with Obama or Clinton. This is just a move to denuclearize North Korea . North Korea will not allow that to happen without quid pro quo.
Sadly an ethnically similar people separated by war and politics have a chance to reunite but it's not up to the indigenuous to decide but proxy powers.
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They can employ three million in a year but not stand still while diplomats arrange signatures? (Ahem) Biased?
You are right, Clinton and Obama were masters of diplomacy. Let me think a while about their successes...
If Obama had agreed to sign a peace treaty he may well have thrown in California to NK as an incentive for them to also sign. Actually, not a bad idea.
All the warnings about the US abandoning South Korea and not holding China in check that are appear here are hilarious.
So now posters are pointing to Vietnam as an example of how this can backfire?
Unbelievable.
Simple. The Olympics. Kim and the North got a taste of "western" culture and music (they already had some) and like it - Kim wants to be trendy, he invites rock bands north. not much to do with trump, except he's bit bored with militarism. and poverty.
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Demand unconditional surrender. Kims go to prison, but not so harsh as their own.
Why?
Why not send some surviving U.S Military staff responsible for the criminal U.S Air Bombing of North Korea considered by many a crime against humanity to jail instead?
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Like many here, I recognize that Trump is demonstrably a wretched human being and, so far, a worse president.
If DPRK denukes under his watch, I will be glad for it.
So far, aside from the highly innovative Twitter Rant (tm) Strategy, Trump's foreign policy seems to be precisely in line with what the American empire has pursued post Cold War vis-a-vis the MIC, regardless of party.
I am not sure why Kim appears suddenly pliant, but I don't really think it's that Trump's middle school social media taunts have brought him to heel. Neither do I think it's Pompeo's delicate way with words or smiling face. Giving Trump much credit here seems pretty grasping, and ignorant of larger machinations in the region.
If anything, this reads as a sign of America's weakening influence, as the Asian nations involved take matters into their own hands.
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The 1953 armistice was signed by a US general representing the United Nations Command (representing some 15 UN members who had supported the war effort). Technically, the UN must be involved in any re-negotiations or a peace treaty.
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Exactly...its not the U.S to determine a peace treaty though history shows it was America that ensured one would not be signed and lets not forget when the U.S broke article 13 of the Armistice and sent Nuclear Weapons and posted them there to the Korean Peninsula from 1958.
America of course has conveniently forgotten just how much it has been the aggressor (surprise surprise!) since the armistice was signed.
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Some of the comments are so far off-base especially those suggesting that we should keep our military presence in Korea in order to offset China's influence in the region. There is no longer a Pax Americana insured by America's military might. Its very premise is outdated and proven to be flawed. Instead of threatening the use of force we are now recognizing that mutual interest will bind all parties and countries together. It's the Trump way and one that will succeed where other measures have failed. What is so difficult for the Trump haters to understand? Maybe that their ideas no longer work.
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'Mutual interest will bind all parties and countries together' is the Trump way? That is an astonishing statement. What other instances of this can you cite? The threatened tariffs and moving of the embassy suggest that is not the "trump way" as do so many other of trump's behavior.
I have never understood the reason for not formally ending the Korean war. That is decades past due. The only realistic explanation is that it helps keep the MIC rationalized and money flowing to weapons developers.
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Ed, speaking as a Trump-hater extraordinaire, please let me inform you. Trump is not hated for his efforts at negotiating peace. He is hated because he is dishonest, because he is childish, because he is racist, and because he is a corrupt narcissist owned wholly or in part by Vladimir Putin. He has not earned our trust; in fact he has proven over and over again that he cannot be trusted. Honestly, I’m not sure where his reputation as a “master negotiator” comes from other than from his multiple bankruptcies under terms that turned out to be favorable to him; basically banks concluded that he was worth slightly more to them alive than dead. He operates his business, his family, and now, his publicly-funded administration like that of a mafioso. Is that what you meant by “mutual interest”? Ummm, no thanks!
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you mean together we're better? - not the law of the jungle?
There seems to be a lot of optimism here, but I fear it's only dreams.
We're talking here about North Korea, - a dictator state that has murdered its own people by starvation in order to expand its nuclear capabilities!
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On the surface pursuit of a peace treaty sounds like a great idea. What took so long, right? Why does it look like President Trump might succeed where other Presidents failed?
It seems to me that the U.S. had an interest in keeping troops in South Korea to keep China's sphere of influence in check and to keep apprised more easily of intelligence in that area.
With a peace treaty and American troops gone, China, never mind North Korea, scores a big win.
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Exactly. The reason they are rushing this is they want an agreement with Trump before he is impeached. They want to take advantage of the US while it is impaired by the current leadership vacuum. It's that simple.
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It would be remarkable if the militarization could be reversed on the Korean peninsula. But this article speaks only about global politics and security. I wonder about the long-suffering North Koreans, and what this deal might bode for them. Perhaps talks about human rights would derail this process, but I was a bit surprised that such talk didn't even make it into this article.
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Trump knows Kim is a materialistic glutton .. he'll promise him anything if he comes to the table.. including a free trip to Disney World.. All Tyrannical, 3rd world Dictators LOVE Disney World!
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Wait, the NYT told me that Trump was going to start a war.
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Trump should get a Nobel Peace Prize. Obama's.
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I loathe Trumps with every fiber of my being, but if his Korean peninsula escapade pays off, I have to say, I’d enjoy the irony of this complete buffoon Forrest-Gumping his way to peace.
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Withdrawing US troops from South Korea will be a HUGE win for China and North Korea and will mean that the US will completely cede its military superiority in Asia-Pacific to China. Any idea that Kim JongUn will give up his nuclear weapons without complete withdrawal and weakening of US-Korea military alliance is completely delusional.
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All we are saying is give peace a chance!
Whats America doing there anyway?
Go Away!
If you hate the idea, don't worry...American forces can just go to to Japan where the other American Forces are that refuse to leave after the 1945 Peace Treaty was signed with them ending World War 2.
And perhaps the American forces still stationed in Germany that never left after World war 2 could leave also? The Russians have not been in Germany for almost 30 years. Why can't America just GO?
Remember how much the Viet Cong activists in the South Vietnam helped US to lose the Vietnam War.
You should understand that Moon Jae-in, the president of SK, is known as a radical anti-US politician, and a sympathizer for the NK dictator.
He is exclaiming the withdrawal of US forces for the unification of Korean peninsula, as this article presents.
However, the withdrawal does not mean making a unified democratic nation, but the cruel absorption of SK by NK.
This is their long-term plot to win the Korean War by developing nuclear bombs.
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Yeah...best America continue to occupy the Korean Peninsula as it still occupies a part of Japan and Germany.
You never know when those guys might decide to start trouble again!
Like that Bay in Cuba...no telling when Spain might try to grab it back again after losing it in 1898...yeah...best that America stay put EVERYWHERE as it does decades after any fire has been put out...
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I have been to North Korea and to both sides of DMZ to witness and feel the tension of a potential armed conflict.
Folks below ought to ease up on the POTUS and not chide him for not following the usual script of a Secretary of State not giving prominence etc.
First, we have only an acting one in the name of one Mr Sullivan.
And these striped pants of the Foggy Bottom have hardly delivered a win for us in this Korea situation over the last 70 years or so.
As to the role of Congress, it has been AWOL in many international issues - including refusing to debate any new authorization to use force etc. This POTUS and his predecessor have been liberally using post 9/11 authorization to go after ISIS and others far removed from Afghanistan.
And let's face it, like Nixon - this POTUS rightly or wrongly believes in his own personal charm or lack thereof to get results.
I am old enough to have witnessed death of Soviet Union - but I am apparently young enough that I may again be able to go back to North Korea - via a non existing DMZ. And have full protection of our embassy in Pyongyang - something I did not have half a dozen years back.
And I would give this POTUS credit for that protection.
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Hopefully they're using Germany as an example. That means that Republican presidents will have presided over two reunification efforts.
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Good lord can be stop giving Reagen credit for the fall of the Berlin Wall? It's a story Americans like to tell ourselves that is a radical simplification at best.
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Pretty sure the South Korean kids at my high school predicted this in 2003. Except this story ends with a unified nuclear peninsula.
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Kim needs to make a quick deal. NK is flat broke and his million plus army keeps loosing weight and shrinking. Their trousers keep falling down.
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I recommend holding off on this until Trump is out of office. He may just be ignorant and arrogant enough to thInk that he actually ended the Korean War.
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How about a Czech Slovakia solution.
Let's just cut to the chase: Kim doesn't need to be quite so belligerent now that he has the bomb and missiles. Now he'll suck all he can get out of South Korea and Japan to raise the standards of living for his people (without going overboard). He could ease up on the people a little and still protect his regime. Also people will say he's a great man, which I'm sure he likes.
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In this, he would appear to be very similar to his North American interlocutor.
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Nothing would destabilize Northeast Asia more than a US withdrawal from the Korean Peninsula. What are people thinking? This is nothing to celebrate.
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I’d put nuclear war above US withdrawal.
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Trump is already backtracking; Kim is playing for time...
The arcane language and details of any treaty addressing status of forces and DPRK nuclear program need to be made public before I can offer an informed opinion. My suspicion is that whatever the treaty is, the terms will be favorable to China and DPRK and that Kim masterfully brought this about by his opportune launch during the early months of the Trump presidency of creditable ICBMs.
I would caution readers to remember another so-called breakthrough treaty that did not live up to ink on the paper- Paris Peace Accords 1973. Perhaps Trump should be aware that Kissinger was awarded a Noble Award for that incredible farce, Le Duc Tho, his opposite and bitter adversary had the foresight to decline his Noble by stating that there was no peace.
I can only hope that the Trump administration is not outdone to the degree that Kissinger was. Tho, Duan, Giap, Madame Nguyen Thi Binh conducted a masterful political-military campaign against the US that resulted in an agreement that left their forces positioned in one third of South Vietnam. Not bad for a country that Kissinger called a "fourth rate power". Is " Peace at Hand" on the Korean peninsula?
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Le Duc Tho certainly understood North Vietnam was going to continue the war.
And you want what? Americans to say: "Oh no, we can't abandon another Asian ally as we did in South Vietnam!".
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None of us who oppose Trump want to see him succeed.
But for the sake of the Korean people, north and south, I hope they make peace.
If they end the war will we still have to have troops there? I suspect the Pentagon will never give up keeping troops there. They love to have forever commitments after a war so they can justify more funding. I wish Trump would keep one promise to bring our troops home and stop wasting our tax money when all these countries can afford to defend themselves.
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Well done Mr. President!
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Um, nothing has been "done" so far. And it appears that we are joining in as a sidecar to China and SK. I would be a bit more wary of the internal politics than you are.
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Jeez, this has nothing to do with Trump. He’s playing golf more than leading any kind of diplomacy. What a ridiculous notion.
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1) The Koreas are sitting down to discuss peace.
2) NKorea wants to discuss denuclearization with the US.
3) Wage growth for the middle class is finally happening.
4) stock market still up ~5,000 points in last 16 months.
5) significant decreases in illegal immigration over the last year.
“Trump is such a terrible president, we need to impeach.”
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You need to give Trump credit for pressuring NK and bringing this about. So much criticism of him, but he's bringing peace to the peninsula!
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I've said it before upthread, but to think that Trump has engineered any of this is to be willfully blind to the complex and on-going theater between SK, China, and NK. (Not to mention Russia, which is not mentioned here but surely plays chess in this game.) I only worry that they are playing Trump for a willing idiot.
The ONLY conceivable way North Korea would ever agree to anything comprehensive is if we agree to completely leave the peninsula. They may even be willing to trade their nuclear capability to achieve this.
Second, by Trump going to North Korea, he will legitimize the regime and their nuclear capability, thus creating a level playing field.
Third, if Trump breaks the Iran treaty, in addition to his second thoughts regarding the TPP, then North Korea goes into this knowing that Trump is completely incapable of making agreements, keeping agreements and/or even understand or recognize the importance of an agreement like this.
Either way, it will be a celebratory affair, a great photo op and everyone will yell MAGA, but North Korea do hold all the cards. They are a sovereign nation and, for better or worse, they have every right to defend themselves in whatever way they see fit, including a nuclear deterrent.
You do not have to like their way of governance...then again, I am not terribly fond of the current shape of our government.
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No peace treaties after big wars are not rare at all, e.g., between Japan and Russia for the WW2 (neither between Japan and Montenegro even for the Russo‐Japanese War of 1904-05). They are just symbolic. The real thing is of course the US-China relation. Everything in Asia-Pacific or even in the whole world eventually comes there. As we know, China is totally different from the Japan during the 1930's and 40's that was just "pretending" a big power.
In the late 19th Century, the first step in the process of moving Korea from China's orbit to Japan's was 'Korean Neutrality'. It seems that the trap that Trump is walking into is the first step in a reversal in this process. Denuclearization in exchange for US withdrawal? Any fool can see that ultimately Korea will become as Chinese as Tibet.
North Korea is not being protected from incorporation to China by the US, if that is what you suggesting. South Korea will remain independent most certainly. These countries are interested in peace and prosperity. They will do business with everyone.
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President Trump's volatility and deterrence are paying off, it seems. The former passive President, peace prize winner, allowed N.Korean, Iranian, Chinese, and Russian aggression unchecked. we are still paying the price.
While Trump sometimes sounds foolish, childish, and obnoxious to me, history shows deterrence and a strong stick prevents thugs from becoming global bullies.
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South Korea's Moon Jae-In reached out to North Korea amidst Trump's twitter storm of sabre-rattling. Trump's surrogates mocked Moon then. When South Korea invited Kim Jong Un's sister to the Olympics, Pence even refused to acknowledge her. Now Trump supporters are praising Trump as a peacemaker. What next? Thanking Trump for rain falling on the crops, the sun rising in the East?
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I suspect that the North Koreans are playing Trump for the fool he is. Trump thinks he's on the cusp of doing what no other politician has been able to do in almost 70 years. I think he's being set up, and will make the worst deal of his life--and in the same instant permanently disrupt the balance of power in SE Asia.
You mean what most U.S Politicians have not wanted to do in almost 70 years.
Read the history...check out article 13 of the armistice agreement and who broke it.
And all the other things.
This is good news. Hopefully, progress will be made between the two Koreas.
Notwithstanding, as long Dodo Donnie and Revoltin' Bolton cling to the idea of "denuclearization" means NK giving up their nuclear weapons, it is a non-starter. As has been observed in this discussion in the past, Kim looks at what the USA has done with its treaties and agreements around the world and won't trust us as far as they can throw Donald's carcass with one hand. On the eve of him trashing the Iran deal there is no reason to believe the USA will hold up its end of the bargain.
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Although I have regularly been expressing contempt for the degenerate occupying the White House, I would rejoice if a peace agreement is signed ending the war in Korea. It would be a magic resolution of an intractable problem, similar to South Africa's resolution of Apartheid.
Trump would have earned a Nobel Peace Prize joining Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter.
The irony is if this comes to pass, Donald Trump would have deserved the Nobel Peace Prize more than the other four, maybe with the exception of Jimmy Carter.
This is the work of South Korea, not Trump. The US has to play a role and we can hope Trump won't screw it up. IF there is peace and denuclearization it will be in spite of Trump, not because of him.
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"if a peace agreement is signed ending the war in Korea."
However the odds are, the bait and switcher in charge, is just doing one of his routine charades, trying to lift his sagging approval ratings. No different than the bipartisan gun control, the coward president proclaimed he would spearhead, while everyone else is terrified of the NRA. The coward Trump proved he is terrified of the NRA more than anyone alive.
Trump is a moral weakling who is afraid of everything except of lying.
Pieces of paper don't create peace. Hitler and Stalin signed a non-aggression pact in 1939, the better to divide Poland between them. Which ensured the "peace" between Germany and Russia, until Hitler invaded Russia in 1941 and killed everyone in sight.
The Treaty of Versailles, formally ending World War 1, didn't create much of a real peace, either. See, generally, World War 2. The bloodiest war in our history, the Civil War, was not ended by treaty. It was ended by the surrender of individual commands, like Lee and Johnston, of armies too battered to fight on.
Any treaty signed by the North Korean dictator isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Peace will obtain so long as 1 of 2 conditions is met: 1) North Korea dares not invade South Korea for fear of the consequences, a fear which has been sufficient to keep the peace for 65 years; or 2) North Korea sheds itself of its dictator, and the voice of its people, seeking reunification with their relatives in the south, can be heard. No paper required.
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" Any treaty signed by the North Korean dictator isn't worth the paper it's printed on."
Why? It was America that broke article 13 of the Armistice in 1958 and nuclearised the Korean Peninsula from then on.
Far as I can tell, North Korea has never broken any Treaty or agreement it has signed...Wish we could say the same for America.
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Just imagine, Trump getting the Nobel Prize for Peace, and actually deserving it.
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American security umbrella? Finally being exposed for the fraud that it is. When push comes to shove the US will only protect itself. When forced between protecting New York versus protecting Tokyo, who do you think is going to win?
Always back the horse named self interest.
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The South and the US is being massively manipulated by the North. Watch how this all turns out in 6 months.
Let the South and the North work out their own Peninsula...whats America doing there?
Same as its doing in Japan on Okinawa?
In Germany? In Cuba?
The U.S sure loves to NOT LEAVE anywhere it takes /wants even after 100 years passes...that Bay in Cuba...is America worried the Spanish might retake it ?
Get Out.
Go home and fix your own house...God knows what a terrible mess it's in...
If this happens, our President, and the leaders of South and North Korea, deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously. More than Obama deserved the 2009 Prize. And I'm a Democrat. The whole country should be cheering him on with this.
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If would be interesting for know what Trump has to give up for the cooperation from China? Let not confused that signing a treaty among nations including China, US, North and South Korea may or may not have anything to do with the unification of Korea Penisula as some of the comments suggested and jumping to conclusion can only bring disappointment as shown in many prior negotiations in the region.
The proper negotiation if the Armistice is going to be replaced by a peace treaty is, as the article says, between the U.S., North Korea, and China. The proper negotiator for the United States is the Secretary of State, who is confirmed by the Senate, and not the National Security Advisor who is not.
The President is usurping powers of consent from the Congress, and giving diplomatic powers away to a foreign country as a negotiator. It is impossible to see this as anything other than an end run and an attempt to grab power.
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" The proper negotiation if the Armistice is going to be replaced by a peace treaty is, as the article says, between the U.S., North Korea, and China"
Umm...What about South Korea and ...who is the odd Country out?
Korea were a united Country about 2000 years before the U.S existed, China longer.
What's the U.S got to do with ANYTHING?
Oh..sorry...The U.S wants to be Everywhere , always...In Japan, Germany, Cuba...the other 800 + bases EVERYWHERE.
How about go home? Yeah...I know its nasty and dangerous , but maybe you should think about going there and fixing things up...
If Trump can morph from a pawn to a knight, there are great opportunities here. A starting point could be the replacement of ALL U.S. troops in the DMZ with a moderately-sized international contingent of soldiers from multiple nations. Notwithstanding its enormous downside, digital technology will enable the soldiers speaking different languages to communicate. Naturally, every nation will send its mid-level James Bonds or Navy Seals into this mix. But if every nation genuinely sent its best and brightest to this party, all the U.S. troops (and naturally South Korean troops) could be quickly withdrawn, and their withdrawal intelligently-staged. Otherwise, video surveillance of all activity on both sides of the zone, northward and southward, could be monitored, serving as a buffer that could be slowly diluted as genuine trust evolves. Trump should immediately cancel the trade embargo to any Chinese companies, at least in the short term, formally recognize and Welcome North Korea, send significant sums of money, medicine and everything else we can spare for this achievement, to North Korea as a gesture of good faith, appreciation and respect, and allow Kim Jong-un to bask in the glory of his courage and trust.
Aren't we being a bit too idealistic? Love the optimism, but I don't why, I feel something else sinister brewing... why does North Korea want to negotiate peace treaties all of a sudden when until quite recently they were adamant on advancing their Nuclear weaponry... and now all of a sudden, they're willing to give it up? Don't say it's because of all the new sanctions put against them, because I doubt that was working, they were trading on the DL with China and Russia... Something is just not clicking.
2
America has immediate interest in peace. Korea has the ultimate goal to unify the peninsula into one nation, which had been existed till 1945. Unification will have an impact on the Far East involving China, Japan and marginally Russia. Thus, America also has to focus on the long term goal of two Koreas. In conclusion, American also ensure that two Koreas be entitled to unite one United States of Korea if and when they want to regardles of what China, Japan or Russia wants.
2
Agreed! But just ask if America will agree to let that happen...
Unfortunately it's the U.S after the armistice that has most made sure the two Koreas don't unitre...(after South Korea started warming to the idea which initially it did not...given the politics in South Korea earlier.
It was my understanding that formally ending the war would be more confining for us legally and militarily. If the war is formally ended, any attack would be on a sovereign nation not at war. Are we painting ourselves into a corner strategically so Trump can pretend to be a master negotiator?
5
That should decrease the attacks then. No American soldiers have been affected by what we call this ceasefire, but dozens of South Korean soldiers have been killed over the years. It's time to stop playing games. Put a real label on it and be done with it so no more people have to die.
1
Are you serious or you just want a unneeded war with North Korea?. Most likely you dislike Trump so much that you fear that if they do denuclearize the Korean peninsula that it could re-elect Mr Trump?. This election has proven to me that the Democrats are just as miserable as the Republicans. The Democrats will oppose Trump at every turn even in this fantastic peace opportunity but the Republicans did the same to Obama.
2
Your comment is exactly why America is more of a menace to world peace than ANY other Nation in recent times...just review recent history from 1953 ONWARDS...
...now tell me , WHO is always in the thick of things? Where most of the humans are dying? Hmmm...
Does the DPRK really want peace with the South though? Not that they'd want to start fighting again, as that is a flight they’d surely lose, but keeping the war going is essential for the regime's survival. Nobody thinks they are the better Korea, they are inferior in every respect. All they've got as a reason for existing is opposition to the so-called evil capitalist imperialist yankee pawns to the South. So if they formally ended the conflict, embraced the ROK with full diplomatic relations, trade, travel, tourism, family reunification and all the rest it would utterly undermine the regime. Never mind the East German government, the East German state didn't last a year after the wall came down.
The only reason for Kim doing this is PR. He's been Mr. Nice Guy for the past few months while he was a bellicose madman for years before that, and it's all an act - Good-Kim, Bad-Kim - designed to keep his opponents guessing. The only thing that the regime wants is to try to keep things as they are, frozen in time forever. Of course they won't succeed, but they've painted themselves in a corner and that's the only option they've got.
3
What you say of the Nort h is mostyly true. You left out the South and their course. They actually have a reunification ministry in there government. Much of their population desires to be one with the North. It baffels me that they could believe Mr. Kim is going to give up his dynasty. Are they in the South really ok with Samsung and Hyundai having corporate offices in the North under Mr. Kim and his cronies. Once the leadership of the North succeed in an agreement with the South of a full removal of the US military, they will bully the Seoul government into submission. The US does not view South Korea as part of its national security. A request by the South for the US miitary to leave its soil will be most welcomed by the American people.
This was has been ongoing for 12 presidents. Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for ending it. The Nobel Committee, however, only gives the prize to Democrats like Carter, Gore and Obama. Tough talking the North Koreans rather than giving them billions in appeasements seems to have worked. Trump deserves the prize.
5
North Korea now has Nuclear Weapons.
I’m sure Kim would be happy to give Trump a Nobel Prize as a price for keeping them.
I wouldn’t jump the gun. So far zilch has happened. If I were a betting man I would bet against Trump accomplishing anything. Trump only has a a sham tax cut for the rich to show for his time in office.
2
Rick, well said. The elephant in the room is that the liberal groupthink in NYC won't let one say that out loud in public.
Trump will be like Nakita Kruchev demanding the North Koreans to force them to give up there nuclear goal. He does not know how to talk. He will make it worse . Russias Putin already warned Trump don't use anymore weapons anywhere as there will be international chaos. If Trump and his GOP don't believe there will be international chaos we are in deep trouble with their leadership.
So....does Cuba have to develop a nuclear arsenal to be recognized by Trump?
3
For the USA this all breaks down to whether North Korea will allow the necessary inspections and removal of their nuclear arsenal that they stated they intended to point at us. Otherwise you just have another con game being run by the North Koreans with the South Koreans.
2
Trump treats our allies horribly and murderous Anti-American dictators quite well. For once, this may pay off. Over the long term, this will doom us all.
1
Christopher, President Trump promised to annihilate North Korea if Kim didn't behave. That did pay off. Speak Trumply and carry a big stick?
How has it paid off? This is the perfect time for Kim to get concessions. He is dealing with an incompetent POTUS, who has severely weakened America's reputation on the world stage, and who has dismantled his own State Dept, the one agency who specializes in these kinds of negotiations. He is sending a partisan in charge of the CIA to do his groundwork for him rather than the Secretary of State. This is the perfect time for Kim to maximize concessions. You don't even see it.
...no surprise here....young Kim Jong un is only following in his father's footsteps.
It wasn't too long ago, the media, this newspaper included, was sensationalizing the possibility of nuclear war....laughable.
Posturing which has taken place for decades and will continue taking place for decades. Mr. Jong un will see many Presidents come and go, before he turns over control to his son.
China controls N. Korea....completely. There will never be a war on the Peninsula...never.
This is a good thing. Bringing home the US military from Korea after 70 years is the next step. Presently South Korean citizens have blocked acess to our THAD post and our soldiers can only enter and exit by helicopter. They want us out. Trump ran on bringing the US military home from South Korea, and its long overdue. Changes will happen fast on the Koresn penensulia.
2
The formal end of the war and denuclearization of the peninsula may be worthy goals but they should not blind us to the overall conduct of North Korea. I believe there is far more going on behind this for North Korea than just a desire for security guaranties. North Korea has a history of trading in the technology of weapons of mass destruction with states like Syria. It is one of the largest counterfeiter of American currency in the world. It is run like a crime family and has one of the worst human rights records known. Finally the Kims & China have long desired a South Korea unprotected by the American military. I don’t trust Trump to get any of that. Foreign policy by the Twitter in chief looking to score a big negotiation victory leave us vulnerable to people even more devious than he is. China and North Korea have Trumps number and will play him like a fiddle or stroke his ego and this may not end well.
7
Well, this comes of a welcome surprise.
Now, we will see if really the US, China, North and South Korea can be placed in a room together to do what they should have done in 1953. You might want to add Russia, then the USSR, which also had a major hand in creating the current situation.
It is hoped that, whatever comes of this, that separated families, between north and south, can freely move between the countries. And, that North Korea becomes something more like its southern neighbor. It is also hoped that all those vicious prison camps, in North Korea, are shut down and prisoners freed. No treaty should be signed, unless this is done. And, those who are directly responsible, should be tried in the World Court.
North Korean officials (especially those with their secret police), cannot be given a free pass with any of this. China and South Korea need to also be aware that North Korea, like eastern Europe (circa 1990), will need help to rejoin the world of nations.
Hopefully, something positive comes from this, despite Trump sitting in teh White House.
17
This is only happening because Trump is sitting in the White House.
1
I’m not sure involving Russia is good idea. It has become a rogue state and, while strutting about, it would seek only to throw grit into the process.
How many times did we hear on the campaign of how Trump's the "greatest negotiator", who would force both Republicans and Democrats to pass through the greatest number of bills through Congress in history?
Over and over again, how our heads would be spinning over the amount of bills passed through, all thanks to his skills as a negotiator.
Well, we're still waiting.
Don't keep your hopes up, that he'll negotiate anything with North Korea.
SAD!
2
I dislike Trump on every level, policy, personally, and actually. But, if this works out it will be good. Let's wait and watch.
4
Will the North Koreans and the Chinese insist that we admit that we lost the war? What about all of those political prisoners and slave labors out side Pyongyang? What will there economy produce and how much in subsidies will the US have to provide and for how long? There is a reason why we have been living under an armistice.
It would be nice if we could move forward on something. There are still more than 7000 Americans missing in North Korea including my Uncle. It would be nice to bring them home.
1
Don't look at this through the Stormy-Mueller distraction lens. North Korea, South Korea and China could care less about our domestic turmoils. For sure, they will play against Trump's erratic behavior and use it against him, but he's only part of their calculus.
It seems hard to believe that North Korea will give up nukes, sue for peace and open borders, since hostilities, tensions and paranoia is their only justification for punitive rule. But then maybe NK's leadership believes they can coast to retirement without nukes, much the same way Castro did.
One of several global trouble spots today that can be traced directly back to failures of the Eisenhower Administration cold warriors - Iran is another. Viet Nam was another. Our Cold War sins are coming home to roost - this Treaty should have been negotiated and signed generations ago.
2
1) This isn’t going to happen.
2) This shouldn’t happen, because a status quo that involves Kim’s barbaric regime being accepted as legitimate in any way, shape or form cannot stand.
19
Trump likes "strong man" style "leaders." He's a sheer wannabe. He would love love love to do this deal for its reflection his self-image, without caring less for the humanitarian aspects. Trump is psychologically incapable of empathy.
It is my understanding that the armistice was signed between North Korea and the United States. Since no one in the current administration seems to pay attention to history or law or foreign affairs, let alone have any understanding of them, it comes as no surprise to me that Trump would send "his pick," who has not been confirmed in any official capacity and therefore is acting as a rogue agent to negotiate a deal with North Korea outside of any official capacity to do so.
To think that North Korea doesn't know this is ignorant beyond explanation.
The armistice was signed by the military forces of China, North Korea, and the United Nations. No political entity (NK,China, US) signed.
1
It's about time! Let the sins of the past stay in the past, and let's go forward to make this planet a better home for all. Beat the swords into ploughshares. Make peace now but live in peace going forward.
2
South Korea and North Korea have agreed to meet to discuss a treaty, and China has given its blessings. All we can do now (and ought to do) is to pat ourselves on the back, clap like seals and let them do the deal without interference. We have caused enough damage on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
31
Lovely what the grown ups in the room can do!
1
Agreed. Trump's reckless talk may have helped spur the conversation--but it's South Korea's enlightened leader and North Korea's willingness to come to the table that's bringing this new possibility to the fore. Thankfully China, the dominant player in the area, looks like its on board. I'm rooting for a unified peaceful Korea.
2
I would like to see a negotiated peace treaty, but I won't be holding my breath that this will come about, or denuclearization. It could just be that too many North Koreans are dying for the regime to be able to sustain itself much longer. The Kim dynasty's main goal is to survive, however that has to be done. If it means entering into a "peace" treaty to get international aid flowing into the country and financial assistance from South Korea, even if NK intends to break the peace at some point down the road. I guess we'll just have to see and what happens.
If we can formally end a war, denuclearize, and reduce troops, that is a big win for humanity.
Even if Trump claims all the credit, I'll take peace any day.
57
How about a peace treaty with no denuclearization?
3
Mike Pompeo will probably have to tape Trump's mouth shut so he won't be able to blow a major opportunity, for, well, everyone. THEN he can take the credit, and, of course, deny any involvement if it fails. Let's hope it doesn't.
1
Consider these two statements:
1: Donald Trump's brilliant statesmanship will go down in history for ending the Korean conflict.
2: North and South Korea are having yet another round of talks, something they've been doing for the last 60 years. It is hopeful, but we've been to this rodeo before. Perhaps we should wait and see what happens before we go popping corks on champagne bottles.
I am not inclined to believe the first statement. So far, Trump has been unable to negotiate his way through a paper bag. I'm more inclined to believe the second statement. It conforms more to observed facts and history.
Which is right? Time will tell.
14
President Obama had a vision of maintaining American dominance in Asia. He tried creating the Trans-Pacific Partnership to counter China' economic rise and forming a tripartite alliance between the armed forces of the U.S., South Korea, and Japan to counter threats from North Korea. Japan was an enthusiastic supporter of this plan. Unfortunately, none of these countries have anything in common other than being a democracy and having a market economy. Now that Trump is at the helm, it's each man for himself with Japan left holding the stick.
4
We're definitely in that stage where the large print giveth what the small print eventually takes away. But it's a start.
3
South Korea Confirms Talks to Formally End War With the North
[ I am elated. ]
11
Once you realize that US military contractors are making millions upon millions of dollars supplying South Korea with arms, missile defense systems etc., you’ll know that Washington has no intention of de-escalating the tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The corporate military sector has huge influence on foreign policy via the corporate-government revolving door, lobbying, campaign donations. Add to that the fact that top level policy planners have a big part of their portfolio in defense stocks and you’ll understand why, regardless of which party is in power, the US favors military responses over diplomacy.
Trump may want a peaceful settlement for reasons of ego, but the real power in Washington will not permit it.
21
The most important steps thus far have been North and South Korea's determination to move ahead toward peace on the peninsula in spite of potential US or PRC concerns and interests. While still bound to a sovereignty weakening military alliance with the US, South Korea is acting independently. Successful North/South rapprochement is ultimately both Koreas strongest guarantor of the Korean peoples' national interest and buffer against big power, external forces. Koreans at peace with each other cannot be used by outside forces, US and PRC, in their struggle for global hegemony. Moon Jae-In and Kim Jong-Un are on the cusp of a historic, brilliant diplomatic breakthrough.
8
Yeah, the kind of breakthrough where one is the predator and the other the prey. Do you really not know what kind of tyrant runs North Korea?
1
There can be no doubt that the thawing between N. and S. Korea is due to the bad cop / good cop presence of Mike Pence and Ivanka at the Winter Olympics.
Now that Donald has solved the long-standing civil wars of both Korea AND Syria, maybe he can finally bring our own Civil War to an end.
7
Too bad for him, however he is aligned with the Confederates.
So the failure of this Trump experiment will go a long way to nearing closure.
good snark, enjoyed the humor!
Speaking of civil wars, Had the north lost the civil war there would be no USA! The south would be questionably week as would the north. How about the aiding of the British Isles during the German Japan and Italian attempt to divide the world into their kingdoms? Without the USA what might the world look like? Hmmm…….
Trump is slowly setting the foundation for his legacy as being the greatest President in the past 140 years.
7
Oh yeah! A con man is a greatest president? This isn't about peace. This is about handing Northeast Asia to China!
1
For too long Korea North and South has been a pawn of big power politics. The Korean people, like the Germans before them, want to unite their country. What this takes is very simple the North Koreans have to abandon their nukes and trust China to protect them and their South Korean brothers to begin the integration process. The South Koreans, like the Germans before them, will have to put up a lot of money and the US will have significantly downscale its military presence in South Korea which if you ask the South Korean people they would be happy to see. Where will the sticking point be in all this? Getting the US military industrial complex to do what's right not what's profitable for itself and getting the US to ease up on its rhetoric of the necessity to maintain "dominance" in Asia. Here's hoping peace prevails. None of the Asian countries are stupid enough to want war and yes they are all capable of dealing with China the same way Central and South American countries deal with the US.
8
Kim will never ever give up power, to believe otherwise is simplistic and self destructive in the extreme. This is nothing like Germany where one side loses its patron state and fails due to its own dysfunctional government. No, North Korea’s powerful patron China will expect far more out of this than just a peaceful Korean Peninsula & Kim wants ? The same thing he has now in his country only with South Korea’s wealth and booming economy in the bargain.
If you ever actually ASK the South Koreans, they don't want to reunify. The countries are too different and the financial, social costs of reunification are too great. Think of the disparities between the 2 countries and listen to actual South Koreans, they're not keen on North Koreans.
Peace everyone wants, but not reunification. At least not until North Korea catches up first.
Fascinating line of stories today. This one, the one about Pompeo and Trumps reliance on spies. Is Pompeo truly a spy? He's was an appointee, not a career spy. Now had he been the Directorate of Operations...he'd be a true spy. (thats where the real spy work gets done!) And the third story about Haley's epic push-back to the WH's insult of her being confused.
So Haley is getting tossed around on the Trump chuck-wagon, while Pompeo is holding on, and move forward in his seating to become Secy of State...will they manage to form a real working relationship, and get things done - in spite of Trumps...shall we say, less then steadfast leadership?
I'm not so sure, nor confident that Haley is gonna last past the end of this year, maybe not even the summer. (due to her resolute stand on Russia) However, I am confident that these negotiations, should they truly realize, will be shot-up by Trumps less then steady-hand. He's got to please his base and hardcore isolationist Repubs re; trade and China. China wants what China wants, and has the power to get-it!
Trumps is also profoundly invested in not hurting Putin, who does have a stake in the NK horse. A big one!
Japan has a stake.
Add the other despicable players - who do not want NK to move closer to the West. (Those disreputable actors relying on NK's illicit arms dealings, etc) Imagine one of them disclosing the shady deals of NK, and potential complicity in some terror attacks? Many groups would love to prevent this peace.
1
Great accomplish to come for Trump, ending the Korean conflict. Right up his alley with a cultural-historical savvy rooted somewhere back there. He’ll be ready to renegotiate the Marshall Plan next.
1
Yeah, he's gonna end the Korean conflict, right after he builds a great, beautiful wall that Mexico will pay for.
If President Trump cured cancer, NYT readers would blame him for destroying jobs in the healthcare industry.
24
You may want to wait a bit before trumpeting Trump’s accomplishment, because nothing has happened yet. We will see, however if the Korean problem can be solved and nukes removed from N Korea (verified, verified, verified) then I will give Trump due credit.
Just a touch of patience is required.
3
We'll never have to face that situation. Trump couldn't cure an olive, never mind cancer. Anyone who would nominate his personal physician to head the VA, with 300,000 employees and a budget of $200B does not "have the best brain". And by the way, he hasn't ended the war, he's only agreed to meet with Kim, who will play Trump like a fiddle.
2
Not quite.
Regressives are desperate for something positive to emerge from this administration though.
2
1992 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2001 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2005 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2006 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2007 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2008 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2009 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2010 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2011 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2012 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2013 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2014 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2015 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2016 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
2018 - North Korea discusses denuclearization
There is no lack of oxygen on the Korean peninsula to talk about denuclearization (of DPRK? The peninsula? The world?) and a peaceful end to the war.
35
The resolution of any issues with N. Korea will not happen quickly. Negotiations take time on international issues and much more so when dealing with the parties involved here. Everyone should be prepared for a fair amount of really difficult bumps in the road. One thing is paramount…don’t expect N. Korea to cede any of its sovereignty.
4
I imagine Trump thinks that a North South treaty will be his Nixon Opening China moment for the history books
Well, why not?
It's a golden opportunity for Xi Jinping to capitalize on the lack of competent American leadership. For China, it is important to get this deal done before Trump is rejected at the ballot box or forced from office for corruption.
Can't wait for Obama to claim this is the result of his Dennis Rodman diplomacy policy. Get another Nobel ready.
4
Please name an instance in which Obama took credit for something he didn't do? Before you cite his Nobel Peace Prize be sure to read the statement detailing the reason for his being selected.
2
It's about time to end this once and for all. The Korean War (which I called the Grandfather's war) needs to end with the US, once the treaty is signed, pull out entirety. That move should free up cash that's needed at home. Let South Korea shouldered the load for now on. However, if the paperwork is broken, the US is pledged to return and assist. Again what is telling all signs that dollars and free markets are the way to "win" wars. Better than boots on the ground period. If you don't believe, see and read about Vietnam and the US in the last few years. Money works!
1
It is good to read of everyone discussing so many different options. If this is to happen, it will require creative thinking and compromise of things that "can't be" compromised. It is impossible until it happens. That can be only if the impossible is first discussed. Thus, impossible options floating are important, like removing troops, neutralizing the Korean Peninsula, some way for the two parts of Korea to live together, and removing the nuclear threat against all, not just against one.
4
"It would be a big win for China." That was my thought too. Donald Trump is going to get absolutely steamrolled in any potential negotiations. We don't have the leverage in a four way deal with both Koreas and China. Plus, Trump has already informally written off Japan. This was our only potential counter balance in regional geopolitics. Any peace deal that comes out of Trump is this context is strictly political. It has nothing to do with long term US interests in the Pacific theater. We also risk losing any economic leverage first by alienating or western allies and second by ceding the global shipping lanes to non-US authority. Trump might sign a peace treaty but I don't see how we are in any way coming out ahead. A nuclear North Korea would actually prove more favorable to our interests.
6
Dude, you're gonna have to write a thick book to explain that pretzel logic: a nuclear NoKo is just what we need? Is this Opposite Day?
About time.
Go slow on thinking for a fast end.
This darn Trump, doesn't he know all the people that will be unemployed if this war ends?
What is he thinking? Snarc.
1
IF---big if---this comes to pass, will President Trump become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate? Perhaps former President Obama could give his unearned Nobel to President Trump.
3
Donald Trump -- Nobel Peace Prize?
Why not?
Obama won it for.............
11
Tuco: ... for overturning Bush and the Neocons. (Though Trump is bringing them back.)
1
Being elected as the 1st president of color...
1
Oh the military industrial complex and defense contractors won't be happy about this news at all. All I want is peace in this world for our kids is that too hard to ask.
5
Trump Corporation could build a hotel in Ulan Bator and hold the summit there in the spring of '18 just before the midterms.
This is just another contrived distraction to keep our attention away from the real crises we face: Stormey Daniels' claims, the investigation into Mr. Cohen, and the Mueller probe. You can't fool us, Mr. Trump. We already saw through your attempt to deflect our attention by attacking so called chemical locations in Syria. We didn't fall for that, nor will we fall for this phony smokescreen of ending the Korean war.
9
Stormy Daniels, real crisis, really?
Instead of a war for more than 50 years that has cost endless suffering and death between two highly populated countries?
You need to check your “priority-o-meter”...
17
Do you actually think the Stormy Daniels affair is more important than ending the Korean War? No wonder Democrats lost the election.
12
Wait, South Korea is in on the "distraction" plan?? I'm no fan of Trump but get a grip please.
3
It would be great if the Korean “war” ended. It’s hard to tell if Un will ever give up his nuclear weapons. I think everyone hopes for the best but we also need to be prepared for the worse.
I think no matter what happens if the POTUS broke laws and/or the POTUS was involved in the Russians interfering with our government then he should be held accountable. No one in the US should be above the law.
2
The South Koreans have finally realized that continuing to do the US bidding vis-a-vis North Korea is not in their interest. Their refusal to acknowledge the end of the Korean War always was a matter of not hurting America`s pride, since it was the US who refused to accept the war had come to an unfavorable. Under Trump, there is no American pride worth respecting.
9
North Korea never agreed to a peace treaty. The armistice is just a ceasefire. It seems you have forgotten North Korea invaded South Korea. South Korea is not interested in invading North Korea. It would make South Korea responsible for ended the humanitarian disasters north of the DMZ.
1
Dick, it was NORTH Korea who refused to acknowledge the end of hostilities. And the only reason things stopped where they did was because 1,000,000 chinese came over the Yalu river to help their communist comrades.
This paper and others are pretty resistant to Trump. But you do have to give credit. There may be a path for peace on the peninsula, this is great for mankind. Maybe the US loses some influence but we all know morally, peace is the right path, even if Trump is the one leading us to it.
Trump's many bad qualities as covered in NYT, can sometimes be a strength. It gives him more room to maneuver and unpredictability can unsettle your opponent. His flip-flopping, lying, theatrics, and unpredictability can be an asset at certain times in history. Maybe this is a moment where he's right for the job. He vocalized opposition against China's unfair and illegal trade practices (dumping, IP theft), he's confronting Kim Jong Un aggressively.
Sometimes I think he's finally doing things no other president would dare do because they're too tied down in the same Washington lawyer, "Presidential", higher moral authority, calculating mindset. To his voters, he's more "refreshing" than some corporate lawyer we always get. Though there are many other moments where I don't think he's right at all .
23
I'm concerned about the sudden influx of so-called Trump supporters in this comment section this morning.
1
Consider me hopeful, but skeptical. We've been through this song and dance before. I will be loathe to give Trump any credit for her his if he pulls it off, but we shall see. Perhaps he'll pull a Gorbachev and be in the right place at the right time
2
North Korea knows they are safe just from the cannons pointed at Seoul and China’s support: if the US were ready to take action, they would have done it already as North Korea is about to master intercontinental nuclear weapons. If the US don’t attack to get safety from nuclear weapons, why would they do just because yet another dictator tortures the people of his tiny country?
North Korea is just China’s pawn: the end game here is to get the US to remove military presence from the region, so China can bully Taiwan and other neighbors in peace. Why would China NOT have shared its nuclear and ballistic expertise with North Korea while it has everything to gain from it? Why is North Korea systematically negotiating on the basis of “Do this for China and I’ll stop with my bombs”?
6
Uff! Man! If that were to happen, it would be the greatest thing to happen to this small forgotten Little Rock in the universe in the last 30 years after the fall of the Soviet’s empire and the reunification of Germany...
I say, go full speed for it!
8
The America first policy is winning out with the US conceding influence in Asia. Will that ultimately be good or bad for US interests. Hard to see through the fog of Trump's own marketing machine.
These international issues take years to evolve. The Korean War has been at a stalemate for about 65 years. Over those years many changes have occurred in the area with China rising, SK modernizing, Japan economically thriving and NK developing nukes. All these evolving situations, and the US looking inward tired of defending SK, has created new dynamics.
Is peace and harmony possible with the US keeping its foothold in Asia. Can the US retain it's allegiances when China's interests are to drive a wedge?
America is no longer the power there it once was. Is that good? Trump's election was based on making America Great again which means putting it back on a pre WWII footing when we were great but not the greatest. The future looks to be China's.
9
Too bad the North Korean can't eat those nukes while the rest of the region prospers.
Let the US recognize the obvious, that North Korea exists, and normalize relations. Withdrawal US troops in exchange for a denuclearized Korean peninsula, with inspections, and an open border between the North and the South. Let's put the Korean War behind us and let the Korean people work out relations between their two countries. This drama has gone on long enough and benefited no one. Bring our troops home. Give peace a chance.
37
All we are saying...
... is give China a gift!
Balance of power? Short memories. No historical perspective.
1
I can't wait to see Jared solve this one!
4
“Mr. Bolton made it clear to me that he will do his best as an honest broker in successfully implementing President Trump’s peace policy on the Korean Peninsula.”
O, please. Who in this country believes this? Bolton was part of the leadership that lied its way to an absurd war in Iraq, a war that killed hundreds of thousands (including 4500 Americans), that created a power vacuum in the Middle East, and from which we have yet to extricate ourselves. Mr. Bolton hasn't a wit of evident diplomatic skills to broker a peace.
95
John Bolton, playing a role in formally ending a war rather than threatening to initiate one? Good to hear, if true. Maybe he's getting tired of being called "chickenhawk."
4
Despite the NYT being avidly against the 45th President; it, and fellow liberals need to acknowledge that he is achieving things that Clinton never would. NK denuclearising would be an historic achievement.
35
George, there is no achievement yet. Seems awfully premature to start giving him credit for something that has not occurred.
58
George, peace on the Korean Peninsula would indeed be an historic accomplishment, although it has to happen first, and one has to give proper credit to both the passage of time and to the Korean people themselves.
Remember, the Soviet Union was on its last legs for a long time before it collapsed and everyone gave excess credit to Ronald Reagan for 'magically' ending the Soviet Union; but the Soviet Union was in a state of inevitable decay for decades and then it crumbled.
But Trump's most historical accomplishment will always be the attempted destruction of American norms, institutions and the idea of truth itself as an object of respect and honor.....and the American system that is valiantly fighting back against this interloper.
Remember, Trump is still the Birther Liar candidate who spends most days watching Fox & Friends, tweeting, attacking his own government and the free press and the American rule of law.
Trump may have some victories, but he'll always be an American disgrace story.
142
You cannot prove a negative. Clinton was/will not be President, so inferring her actions is a false argument. Cheers.
49
Could get him for more years in the White House.......
11
There is now a path -- far far from a certainty -- to a peaceful resolution. My Korean friends tell me Moon is one smart guy. I hope so, as pulling this off will not be easy.
23
He's smart, but not smarter than the Chinese. This would be a dream come true for the People's Liberation Army.