Kim Says He Will Trust Trump’s Approach Ahead of Upcoming Summit

North Korea continues to hope for US easing of restrictions on them

In comments through North Korea’s official KCNA news agency, Kim Jong Un said he intends to trust President Trump’s approach toward diplomacy going into a summit between the two planned for late February.

North Korean officials, including Kim, have expressed disquiet at the way the process has gone since the last, seemingly-successful summit. In particular, North Korea has slowed dismantling its program as the US has increased sanctions throughout the process.

Kim said he received a “great letter” from Trump, and intends to trust his approach “in good faith” for the next round of talks. The hope seems to be that praising Trump will g get him to offer at least something to ease restrictions on North Korea.

During Sweden talks over the weekend, North Korean officials in particular were eager for the US to stop limiting inter-Korean cooperation, as the two nations have a deal to restore road and rail links, but US sanctions so far forbid this.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.