Trump‑Kim: A Summit on the Horizon
After the mid‑term elections on November 6, President Donald Trump announced that his second meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong‑Un is slated to take place. Speaking on the flight to Iowa for a campaign rally, he teased the world, “I just can’t leave now.”
Progress, Progress…
Earlier in the day, Trump highlighted the progress made in the first summit held in Singapore on June 12, saying he was “seeing the light” in the denuclearization talks. He praised Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s weekend talks with Kim and mentioned that they’re weighing “three or four locations” for the next summit.
Pompeo Adds the Check‑In
- Pompeo echoed Trump’s optimism at the White House, stating that while there’s still a long way to go, a clear path to “full and final verified denuclearization” has emerged.
- He noted that Kim is “pretty close” to agreeing on the meeting details.
- Kim has even promised to let international inspectors into the Punggye‑Ri nuclear site and the Sohae missile test facility.
A Cautionary Note
Experts remain skeptical, viewing Kim’s promises as a polite routine rather than genuine breakthroughs. Prompted by Trump’s remarks, the United States has yet to lift its hefty sanctions on Pyongyang, a move the president said would only happen if tangible steps are taken.
Why It Matters
North Korea stands to gain huge economic opportunities if it can finally open its doors to foreign investment—something the president promised would be “spectacular.” Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns persist: one in five children in North Korea suffers from malnutrition, and over ten million citizens are undernourished and desperately need aid.
Bottom line: The countdown to November is on
With the political landscape shifting post‑midterms, the world is waiting to see if the U.S. and North Korea can turn the good vibes into real results. Trump’s enthusiasm is clear, but the real test is whether those hopes translate into concrete action—without any more “rockets flying” or provocations on either side.
