North Korean authorities announced Friday evening that North Korea will suspend all missile tests and shut down its nuclear testing facilities; setting the stage for next month’s unprecedented meeting between Kim Jong Un and President Trump.
Maybe His Testing Is Complete?
Why would Kim give up so much in advance instead of using a nuclear test-ban and an ICBM moratorium as aces up his sleeve to give up when he meets US President Donald Trump.
To the bbc, the answer is simple: a summit with a US president is enough of a prize in itself. For Mr Kim, it’s something that neither his grandfather nor his father could attain.
According to Fox News, the North Korean regime announced their decision to suspend their weapons programs just hours after delegations from North and South Korea held negotiations to find a “permanent” settlement to the 68-year long war.
“From April 21, North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles,” the Korean Central News Agency claimed, according to Yonhap News. “The North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s northern side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test.”
“They have not attached any conditions that the U.S. cannot accept, such as the withdrawal of American troops from South Korea. All they are expressing is the end of hostile policies against North Korea, followed by a guarantee of security,” said South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
In the end, what North Korea loses by demolishing its nuclear test site and submitting to a unilateral moratorium on ICBM launches is entirely tolerable compared to what Mr Kim gains by sitting alongside President Trump.
