Trump and Kim Jong-un

By Mahmood Elahi

This refers to the Op-Ed: "Behind NK's missile launch" by Tong Kim, published in The Korea Times on July 30.

When Trump was asked about North Korea's recent short-range missile testing, he replied that this was not a problem because short-range missiles pose no threat to America. He also said that he has developed good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and praised him as a capable leader doing good things for his people.

Although he came under criticism from Democrats for developing a close relationship with a dictator, Trump shrugged off the criticism. In fact, he seems to be enjoying such personal relations and he seems to think such close contact with Kim is key to the success of denuclearization negotiations.

Since his walk with Kim at the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea, Trump has ignored all short-range missile tests by the North, allowing Kim to do more of them. And although Kim has criticized South Korean President Moon Jae-in for going ahead with U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, he took care not to criticize President Trump.

In fact, Kim seems to be moving to develop his personal ties with Trump as a cornerstone to bypass two of his benefactors ― China and South Korea. He is following two different tracks ― one by criticizing Moon for participating in the joint military exercises and secondly by conducting his own short-range missile testing threatening South Korea. He knows as long as he doesn't test fire long-range missiles, Trump will not react adversely.

He is also showing his independence from China, who wants him to denuclearize to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula, which will reduce the need to keep thousands of U. S. troops there. Kim wants to show China that as long as he has good personal relations with Trump, he can refuse to denuclearize and test-fire missiles to threaten South Korea. He is using Trump to defy both Moon and Xi.

But this kind of personal diplomacy has its limits. Soon Trump will find out that Kim is using him to serve his own interests as much he is using Kim to serve his interests. Soon their divergent interests will collide and the whole thing will fall apart.

Tong Kim has rightly pointed out this when he says: "Clearly, an arms race is continuing between the North and the South in the absence of mutual trust, despite several summits, multiple agreements, and various peaceful gestures. Both sides probably have enough arms already to destroy each other. A sensible mind would think the ongoing arms race should come to an end, the sooner the better."

For this to happen, Donald Trump must stop his continuing admiration for Kim Jong-un. But this might be difficult as long as Kim keeps writing him "beautiful letters."

Mahmood Elahi (omega51@sympatico.ca) is a freelance writer in Ottawa, Canada.

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