By Lee Min-hyung
U.S. President Donald Trump is on track to replace his top advisers with hard-liners, as part of a show of his strong willingness for “no compromise” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ahead of their planned meeting in May, experts said.
On Friday, Trump appointed John Bolton, a hawkish former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, as his new security adviser, in a move to intensify diplomatic pressure before the Washington-Pyongyang talks. Bolton is cited as one of the most hard-line diplomats in the country's history.
“The reshuffle apparently came as Trump wants to prove he is different from former U.S. presidents in dealing with the regime's nuclear and missile threats,” said Lee Jin-gon, professor of political science at Kyung Hee University.
The U.S. leader, since taking office last year, has outwardly denounced relatively less aggressive North Korea policies taken by his predecessors, which Trump believes only helped intensify the regime's nuclear armament.
The appointment of the new security adviser came only a few days after Trump fired former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with former CIA director Mike Pompeo. Pompeo is also one of the most hawkish politicians who called for the need to maximize pressure against North Korea.
“The latest reshuffles are aimed at sending a strong message to Pyongyang that Washington has no plans to compromise with North Korea's schemes on the denuclearization agenda,” Lee said.
Chances are the U.S. can urge the regime to disclose all its nuclear weapons and related facilities. Trump can then discuss ways to completely disarm Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal.
“It is unlikely for the North Korean leader to abolish its nuclear weapons for good, as this will pose a significant threat to tightening his grip on the regime,” the professor said. “If he gives in to Trump's demands, this can also cause an internal crisis for the regime.”
Hong Min, director at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Trump needs a top aide who can support his hard-line North Korea policy, and is meticulous enough to check all the details during the upcoming dialogue.
“In this regard, Bolton is best fit for the position,” Hong said. “Most experts focus on Bolton's hard-line stance against the regime. But he also has an in-depth understanding on North Korea and is careful and precise in his working style.”
This shows Trump's strong will to approach the meeting in an aggressive and careful manner, the expert said.
“The move is also a display of his strong intent for the regime's nuclear disarmament ahead of the planned dialogue, signaling the regime should take concrete and verifiable steps for denuclearization,” he said.