Denuclearization or not, there's strategic benefit to Trump's Korean outreach
By Ted Gover, opinion contributor — 07/22/18 05:00 PM EDT President Trump’s efforts to disarm North Korea are unlikely to succeed as nuclear weapons are Kim Jong Un’s means of ensuring his safety and the survival of the Kim family dynasty. Although little time has passed since their meeting, thus far the June 12 Singapore summit has yielded little for Trump while giving Kim legitimization, strengthening his position at home. Yet, these setbacks aside, Trump’s outreach to Pyongyang may set in motion a seismic shift in Northeast Asia’s geopolitical order that could work to Washington’s advantage.
While U.S. denuclearization talks with the North up to now have been ineffective, Trump has stated on different occasions his intention of developing a productive relationship with Kim, possibly signaling ambitions other than ridding Kim of his weapons.
It could be that President Trump is setting the stage for a long term goal of luring Pyongyang away from Beijing, the North’s sponsor and sole military partner.
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http://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/398275-denuclearization-or-not-theres-strategic-benefit-to-trumps-korean
