President Donald Trump has been consulting with his aides if he should move forward with the planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next month, The New York Times reported. Trump was surprised and angered by a recent announcement from North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator that North Korea would be unwilling to trade its nuclear weapons for economic aid.
The Times reported that on Saturday night, Trump talked with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, asking him why North Korea’s public statements don’t match the private assurances that Kim had given Moon. The call comes just three days before Moon and Trump are set to meet in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, White House aides stated that they were concerned about North Korea’s nuclear program and what is needed to ensure denuclearization. Moon and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Kim had shared knowledge about the details of the nuclear program.
The president’s advisers are concerned that Trump signaled his willingness to meet with Kim too strongly, fearing that Kim, sensing Trump’s eagerness, might offer assurances with a short lifespan.
Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal has put additional pressure on the upcoming summit, especially after National Security Adviser John Bolton commented that North Korea should accept Libya style deal. The U.S. and their allies invaded Libya after it handed over their nuclear program.
However, former aides told the Times that Trump has been resistant to receiving detailed briefings about the nuclear program. Several days ago North Korea canceled a meeting with South Korea, warning they could cancel the summit meeting if U.S. military drills continue.
Until recently, administration officials had said they expected Kim to agree to denuclearization and a fast timetable for winding down the nuclear program, the Times reported.
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