Kim Jong Un’s Bull, Not a Bulldozer?
South Korea’s President Moon Jae‑in told the French daily Le Figaro that the Kim‑ending‑it‑all moment is officially on the table. He says the man in Pyongyang “really means it” and the world’s got to reward him, otherwise, the chances of a nuclear‑free Korea look dim.
Why This Matters (And Why It’s About More Than Trump)
- Singapore Summit 2019—Kim and President Donald Trump promised to crack down on nukes. The agreement was shelved with vague timelines.
- North Korea’s Futility Test—Despite stopping tests, the country failed to let inspectors piece through the Punggye‑ri site. That hiccup sparked the “any‑time‑can‑bounce‑back” vibe.
- Moon’s Back‑to‑Back Chats—He’s spent hours talking Kim and is now convinced the decision to ditch nukes has been made.
Moon: “He’s Sincere, Calm, and Politely Frustrated”
“Kim is calm and polite but feels the world is still sowing mistrust,” Moon told Le Figaro. “We need to show him we’re in the right track, and stick with him for long‑term peace.”
Now, What’s the Plan?
- Concrete Steps—Washington wants a full disclosure of nuclear facilities before they roll out any “official end to the Korean war.” If you’re anarchistic, this is the sort of talk you want.
- Trust‑Builders—Moon hopes a future Trump‑Kim summit can surpass the vague Singapore talk.
- Peace Pact—He suggests kicking off with a “clear end to war” and then building a regime that sticks.
- Sanctions Talk—Sanctions could ease when denuclear progress gets real.
Key Take‑away
Moon is basically saying: “If Kim means it, let’s reward him. Let’s not keep guessing, but do actions.” It’s about pairing a promise with tangible support, or we’re just playing a geopolitical game of hide‑and‑seek.
