Trump & Kim Jong Un Get Their Date in Singapore – With a Few Punchlines
After a whirlwind of behind‑the‑scenes talks in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump told reporters that the long‑anticipated summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is still on the calendar for June 12 in Singapore. He walked away with a letter, a handshake and the promise that the two leaders might actually dial down the nuclear dial.
Oval Office: A “Low‑Pressure” Face‑to‑Face
When Kim Yong Chol, the senior envoy from Pyongyang, stepped into the Oval Office, it felt more like an awkward first date than a diplomatic meeting—with the cooling of the Korean War as the main ice‑breaker. The discussion lasted roughly 90 minutes, and Trump was quick to stress that the big “end‑the‑war” question is still on the table but not in the same way as a high‑stakes contract signing.
- “We talked about ending the war,” Trump said, sounding both serious and a little surprised at the historicness of it.
- He added that “we’re not going in to sign anything on June 12.” A humor‑laden reminder that great diplomacy is usually a marathon, not a sprint.
- Victory in Vietnam was a thing, but coming to the Korean Peninsula feels more like an elusive, two‑step dance with a few missteps on the floor.
Debate About Denuclearization
While Kim Jong Un has displayed a willingness to discuss “denuclearization,” he’s not handing out promises on free‑fire. Expect him to demand security guarantees, possibly including an official end to the Korean War itself. Think of it as asking for a match‑made “miracle cure” before the doctor says, “Hold on, we need time.”
Key Takeaways:
- North Korea can be vague, but it still promises a “completely, verifiably, irreversibly” end to its nuclear program.
- The US wants the same: a full stop on nuclear weapons for the North.
- Kim Jong Un’s “willingness” is conditional – he’ll want a reciprocal vow from Washington.
Pompeo’s Perspective – “We’re Heedful but Hopeful”
After a flurry of meetings, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared that the North is at least open to considering a path toward the US demands. “They can make a strategic shift,” he said, hinting at a small step that could open a larger door.
Shameless SMASH AND BURN.
Trump’s “rule of thumb” for meetings: “Take your time.” An approach to avoid a hasty deal and an opposite approach to avoid a “Do‑not‑sign‑anything” sign. Funny, right? The moment he told Kim Yong Chol to “take their time,” the meeting felt less like a sudden agreement and more like a walk in a park.
Smile, Shake & Drive Away
- After the Oval Office session, Trump and Pompeo escorted the Korean delegation to waiting cars in front of jeering reporters.
- They smiled, shook hands, and a newspaper confirmed the photos were “highly polished.”
- Meanwhile, Kim Yong Chol supposedly returned to Pyongyang — at least· the hopes are high that he will cache the letter inside the secret compounds.
But What About the War?
The Korean War has been “frozen” since 1953, with occasional heat‑up. In a meet‑up at the truce village of Panmunjom, the North and South pushed for more talks to preserve what the previous summit called.
- Key expectation: The next series of meetings will keep the momentum alive.
- Rich comments from Seoul: “We will calmly and with expectation watch the historic meeting in Singapore.”
Heads Up
There’s no guarantee you’ll see the comic strip version of the talk. Yet, the act of two superpowers agreeing to an actual summit will be a milestone for sure. Whether they manage to come away with an actual signed document or not, the very fact that the meeting was scheduled makes it feel like an important page in the story of world politics.
Grease Skipping or Fried? The Final Verdict
In the end, Trump reiterated: “We’re going to deal and we’re going to really start a process.” Timing is still unknown, but expect that diplomatic gymnastics will keep momentum alive until the big summit in Singapore.
