The recent visit to North Korea by Mr. Pompeo might have shown the fundamental difference between Washington and Pyongyang in approaching denuclearization of North Korea.

The situation may not be good than before, since Mr. Pompeo could not meet Kim Jung Un at this visit.

Hope they find ultimate peace in Korean peninsula.

Aloha.

My analysis on Trump-Kim summit.

A win for Kim Jong Un.

Because, Kim probably wanted CVIG (absolute guarantee of his regime) for CVID. But, President Trump was probably not able to agree on the term.

Vague terms in agreement might be good for Kim.

I hope both sides agree on the clearer terms.

Aloha.

Kim Jong Un’s complex flight plan. (Source: South Korean news).

Kim Jong Un arrived in Singapore; (so did President Trump).

But, Kim Jong Un flew 3 different airplanes, including one borrowed from China.
The 3 planes even had different flight paths; and no one knew which plane he was on.

Well,
I feel Kim may also be well prepared for the summit with President Trump.

Aloha.

In Trump-Kim Singapore summit on June 12, 2018, we may not see a big breakthrough, like end of Korean war, although it may happen in later date at different location; since President Trump might have chosen a gradual and step-by-step approach. (Source: JTBC)

So, the summit may be just reiteration of their previous agreements and photo-ups, although may still produce positive result (but, not much).

Aloha.

Wall Street journal about President Moon

I understand the newspaper’s concern.

President Moon is well respected leader in South Korea; in terms of that, he may work for South Korea’s interest.

However, he would be always with us and our interest, as long as he knows Kim Jong Un may not give up his ideology and hostility toward South Korea.

Nonetheless, President Moon’s ultimate goal is “no more war” in the Korean peninsula, at all cost; even if both Koreas cannot be reunified.
This means he may not necessarily support us, if President Trump decides to start the war, if and when the current deal with North Korea does not go well.
In the worst scenario, South Korea under President Moon may not choose to keep the US alliance, especially if President Trump unreasonably keeps pressuring his way, e.g. only to invade North Korea. Then, President Moon may even stick with China as long as he can prevent another war in Korea.

As a mediator, in my view, President Moon may personally lack some understanding of western culture and logic, (although some of his cabinet members know and have much about it); which may tend to make him understand Kim Jong Un better, although he prefers not to help Kim over us (US).

This is one reason why I am not a big fan of President Moon; but not because I don’t respect his honesty and sincerity.
But, I feel he could have dealt the current situation better by making both US and North Korea get to a fine agreeable medium at the negotiating table, had he had personally and equally understood the both sides (North Korea and US) culturally?.

But, at the same token, President Trump and his advisers might have not understood President Moon well enough either, even though he might have had good numbers of his advisors with Korean background; therefore, President Trump might have lost confidence or trust in President Moon, without fully understanding him at the personal level.

Somehow, I feel like the best way to resolve misunderstanding of each other (Presidents Trump and Moon) is that they become both bilingual and bicultural like I am…lol.

Aloha.

Trump-Abe summit may happen before Trump-Kim summit; it was announced according to news reports.

As a Korean (American), I admit that I was sometimes mistreated by some Japanese (American), without a reason; because I felt that I was only Korean.

Although I don’t have much animosity toward Japanese, despite being a Korean, who was born and having known the conflicts, e.g. history of Japanese colonization in Korean peninsula, but, I felt bad esp. when I felt I was mistreated without a proper reason.

Well, I try to understand that it may be more of their (harassers’) issues, not mine; although sometimes it is not emotionally easy, because I am also an imperfect human being.

Now, if US-North Korea reaches an agreement, I hope that Prime minister Abe assist the peace resolution, from his end, as much as he can; although I understand his fear about North Korea, having been irrational and unreasonable (to them). [Fyi, e.g. North Korea excluded Japanese journalists in the invitation on PoongGyeRie (풍계리) demolition of nuclear site.]

I just hope we find peace in the region, as well as in US (and Hawaii), not fearing nuclear attack from North Korea.

Aloha.

Trump cancels summit with Kim Jong Un.

Just hearing from the same rhetoric from North Korea again recently, I feel it is the right decision, at least for now.

Aloha.

Note: The summit is now reinstated; for June 12, 2018, Singapore.

My message to people in South Korea.

Now, the ball is also on your table; since US might have stepped aside for you to determine your own fate.

[Some President Trump and his advisors might have not fully understood Korean situation. Probably much due to language and cultural barriers??
It may be the same way, or as much as we were surprised to see that those Korean Americans freed from North Korea spoke little English…lol.

(At least, hopefully, Trump and his advisors might have understood that South Korea could have taken over North Korea a long time ago, if they would have wanted; but, they have not done in that way due to possible heavy casualties in both sides, (as a result). So, US military options might have been an absurd choice to many Koreans, esp. some leaders in South Korea; because, no matter how much Trump and his advisors tried to avoid, if war broke, there would still be casualties, small or big.)]

Regardless, now, you, Koreans have a golden opportunity to reunify both Koreas.

Esp. international situations may be also ripe for the reunification.
E.g. You know China may not fully oppose the reunification of Korea achieved by South Korea, although they may not prefer.

Persuade Kim Jong Un or change his regime with some of your elites, or whatever…
But, whatever methods you may use, you need now to achieve your goal of the reunification, which must have been decades-old desperate need and dream of those 10 million family members (dead or alive) who have been seperated due to Korean War.

I wish you the very best in achieving the goal (of reunification of Korea).

Richard Y Kim.
A Korean American.
A member? of descendants whose families were also wrongfully seperated as a result of Korean War.

Good job, President Trump.

Now, the ball is on Kim Jong Un, who may need to fight his worst fear that North Korea may be absorbed into South Korea. This may be the hardest task for him.

Most likely, however, it would happen in that direction.

Until then, let President Moon handle Kim Jong Un in Korean? way, and let it ride.

Please remember, so long as Kim doesn’t give up his ideology and his false dream of invading or taking over South Korea, President Moon would be on our (US) side.

In the meantime, if Kim gives up, or something happens against him within North Korea; Korea will be reunified under South Korea, (sooner or later), which may also be the more favorable scenario for our interest. (The unified Korea would still be our ally, as they have been, although may be different dynamically. )

I am glad (but cautiously optimistic) that some positive things are now happening in Korea.

Aloha.

Want to settle at a middle ground?

1. Trump and his advisors’ perspective and position.

Goal: PVID and complete denuclearization of Korean peninsula.
Risk and Dilemma: Nuclear World War, if the goal is pursued all the way. North Korea’s nuclear attack in the future, if left with staus quo.
Settlement?: As long as CVID and no threat to US by North Korean nuclear missile.

2. Kim Jong Un’s perspective and position.

Goal: Economic assistance for giving up his nuclear programs.
Risk and Dilemma: Fear of American Invasion and/or being more controlled by China, if PVID. Fear of democratic reunification by South Korea, if open market.
Settlement?: As long as economic assistance and growth, willing to give up nuclear programs (CVID).

Even if the settlement is reached, there may be such risks like; among other things,
1. North Korea may try to hide some nuclear bombs, despite UN efforts.
2. UN may not find all nuclear arsenals, no matter how much they try.

Well, we will see how things unfold.

Hoping for the peace, as always.

Aloha.

Peace or War.

It seems there are currently only two choices between US and North Korea.

Some experts say Moon-Kim Panmunjom declaration may be nothing better than their denuclearization agreement in 1991-92.

And, President Trump’s advisors may worry President Moon is being in the driver seat on this matter, or being too close to Kim Jong Un without double checking his true intention.

In fact, US might have already secretly started a war against North Korea. E.g. Some suspect US and Israel’s Mossad might be responsible for the big fires happened in oil refinery in Najin (나진) and ShinEuiJoo (신의주) in recent months.

Fearing a full scale war from US with weapons like “rods of god”, a kinetic energy space weapon, which can quickly and effectively wipe out North Korean forces; they suspected, Kim might have decided to give up the nuclear programs.

I am still hoping Trump-Kim summit happens in Panmunjom.

But, at the same time, Kim needs to assure Trump that he truly wants peace and further cooperate with US.

Well, we may still be in unstable situation, despite a big hope and expectation.

Aloha.

Note: It seems North Korea may be upset because, they claim, US changed the original agenda, from CVID (Complete, Verifiable, Irreversible Dismantling) to PVID (Permanent, Verfiable, Irreversible Dismaantling), which may be burdensome to them; because, among other things, PVID may involve relocation of many North Korean scientists.

But, due to the previous North Korean behaviors, we deserve to change the agenda, more strictly.

But, I am just concerned if President Trump’s advisors and Kim can reach to their mutually agreeable terms in the denuclearization of North Korea.

I truly hope peace…

Kim (Jong Un)’s dilemma, after prospective nuclear deal.

Trump-Moon summit is suddenly scheduled for May 22, 2018.

Trump and his advisers may now be thinking of how to achieve complete, permanent denuclearization of North Korea, and also want to make sure South Korea not fall into Kim’s possible manipulations.

(It is probably because Kim might have voluntarily declared to the denuclearization, to everyone’s surprise.)

It seems clear that Kim may now want to focus on struggling North Korean economy.

However, if open market system comes to North Korea, he may be afraid, in his worst fear, that North Korea would be automatically absorbed to South Korea, just like Germany.

It may be one of his biggest dilemmas.

So, in the future, we may see him control much more of his people (North Koreans).

Plz, remember his ultimate goal may be “not losing” his power; as we already saw in his ways, esp. killing his relatives, while gaining and holding the power.

Aloha.

My message to Kim, Jung Un,

Thank you very much for your willingness to denuclearize North Korea.

But, please remember if you break your promise, (just as your father defiantly did), your regime will be most likely over.

Hope you are very sincere at this time.

(I am just concerned, and hope you understand the current situation correctly.)

Aloha.

Note: President Moon of South Korea may need to play a crucial role as a middle? person…

Recently, Mr. Trump thru Mr. Tillerson offered a talk with North Korea, unconditionally.

According to Central Daily, a South Korean newspaper, they fear the gesture of the unconditional talk may be prelude for US starting a war with North Korea.

Recently, US and South Korea practiced again at the region, war games with hundreds of modern warplanes and 3 major aircraft carriers and warships.

The newspaper predicted, if North Korea refuses (or the talk fails), then the next step may be Maritime Interdiction (rather than blockade, which may be used in war), which North Korea has been claiming it means war.

The offer of unconditional talk may also serve as a gesture to Chana and Russia; that we may be doing our best diplomatically, and for in case, we may need their help, if and when the Maritime Interdiction happens.

I just hope we find peaceful solutions thru more diplomacy, without war.

Aloha.

Dear all the leaders (and people),
My suggestion and possible solution on generations-old Korean Conflict.
Simply, help lead Korean peninsula become a NEUTRAL country (like Switzerland), with and for pursuit of de-nuclearization and reunification of both South and North Korea…!
Note: The practical action plan(s) can and/or will be discussed more later, if necessary.

Well, we (Hawaii) may have to worry about possible nuclear attack, more from China than from North Korea, if the current coordination effort between Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi, (to pressure Kim Jung Un to give up current nuclear program), does not work well, and escalates to war.
According to latest Chinese news report, which is basically the voice of the Chinese government, (via a South Korean news); (among other things),
1. China may want to cut only portions of its supplies to North Korea, (if their current diplomacy does not work), because they worry humanitarian crisis if cut all supplies.
2. China warned US and South Korea to refrain from military action, esp. not to overthrow the North Korean regime.
If China only cuts portions of its supplies, North Korea may still endure the sanction and be able to continue its nuclear program.
Then, we (US) may attack North Korea; and China would be automatically involved in the war, because they don’t want the current North Korean regime to be overthrown.
Well, let us hope that Mr. Xi keep pressuring North Korea, and hope for the best…