Trump’s New Narrative: From “Rocket Man” to “Diplomatic Dynamo”
At the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, former President Donald Trump switched gears, giving the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a hearty shout‑out for what he called “courage” in trimming down the North’s missile and nuclear arsenal.
Key Takeaways from the Speech
- Kim has moved some missiles into “hiding mode” – they’re no longer flying in every direction.
- Numba‑eight nuclear tests? Gone.
- Some military facilities are already being dismantled.
- Sanctions will stay on until the entire nuclear puzzle is solved.
“The work is still big,” Trump said, “but here’s a heads‑up: the sanctions stay until denuclearisation happens.”
A Comparison to Last Year’s “Totally Destroy” Speech
Remember a year ago when Trump bellowed that he’d “totally destroy” North Korea and nicknamed Kim a “Rocket Man” on a “suicide mission”? Same folks. Now he’s giving the guy a pep talk.
What the June 12 Singapore Summit Delivered
Kim took his first oath in a big, official meeting, promising to “work towards” denuclearisation. But Washington marks the effort as still decades‑short of a full inventory of the North’s weapons and a pledge to give up its nuclear firepower.
Trump Is Still Excited About a Second Summit
After meeting with South Korea’s President Moon Jae‑in at the UN, Trump kept the beat of “more talks.” He said Kim was “really very open and terrific,” which, props aside, could hint at a future pow‑wow where North Korea may break a few more pieces of its nuclear box.
Trump even noted:
“I think he wants to see something happen.”
Other Leaders in the Mix
- Japanese PM Shinzo Abe – praised for backing up the hardline stance.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping – a partner with an open‑eye question about whether his country will keep the tough sanctions.
Moon’s Call for Action
Moon hinted that if the 1950‑1953 war is finally declared formally ended, it might open the door for North Korea to go further on denuclearisation. He also cited Kim’s promise to lift a missile site and a nuclear complex in exchange for American “corresponding action.”
It’s All About Timing
Moon said a proper timetable for these exchanges will be hammered out at the second US‑North Korea summit. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning a trip back to Pyongyang before year’s end to sketch out the finale.
He’s also tentatively lined up a sit‑down with North’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong‑ho at the General Assembly. Ambassador Nikki Haley cleared the way for this meeting, but it’s still waiting for the “right moment.”
Bottom Line
Trump’s message is clear: South‑bound strides have begun, his praise for Kim is loud, but the road to complete denuclearisation is still a sprawling trek. Sanctions? They’re staying. Summits? They’re on the horizon. And everyone’s watching keenly to see if the next chapter of this diplomatic drama leads to real change or just another page in the saga.
