Financial Times: “On the surface, it is a win-win situation for all leaders. Mr. Trump demonstrates that his signature foreign policy initiative is making headway. Mr. Kim garners domestic prestige and the international spotlight from meeting a U.S. president for the first time. [South Korean President Moon Jae-in] reaps the rewards of successful diplomacy and the benefits of reduced tension on the Korean peninsula, which months ago appeared close to conflict. Trouble may arise later, however, if talks begin to flounder.”
“Likelihood of success: For Mr. Kim, simply hosting the meeting will count as a success as it will generate prestige and legitimacy for the reclusive regime. For the U.S. leader, the equation is more complex. Experts are skeptical that Pyongyang will genuinely give up its nuclear programme, which it views as a deterrent to US aggression.”
“The regime may promise to do so but history shows it has a poor record of upholding such pledges.”
Playbook: “This isn’t like guns or health care or immigration, where Trump can say one thing, believe another and let the issue fade to the background. This is a rogue nuclear state. The entire planet will be watching these talks. The stakes couldn’t be higher.”
