Table of Contents
WHAT WE WILL DISCUSS IN THIS
- How big is President Trump’s move to step foot in North Korea?
- What message does this send to Iran?
- Can we expect a resolution of the Korean nuclear standoff?
HISTORIC
- Another significant moment was the first trilateral meeting between Mr Trump, Mr Kim, and Mr Moon, also at the DMZ.
SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA
- A number of countries and international bodies have imposed sanctions against North Korea. UN Security Council Resolutions were passed after North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017. Initially, sanctions were focused on trade bans on weapons-related materials and goods but expanded to luxury goods to target the elites. Further sanctions expanded to cover financial assets, banking transactions, and general travel and trade.
NORTH KOREA
- Of the 25 million citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), more than 40% of citizens (10.5 million people) are considered undernourished, and millions more have little food.
NORTH KOREA WANTS A NUCELEAR DEAL WITH U.S BUT IS AFRAID
- North Korean leader Kim’s refusal to disarm may be due to memories of the downfall of Libyan dictator
- Gadhafi Gadhafi surrendered his nuclear weapons program in response to Western demands in 2003 He was killed by NATO-backed rebel forces in the Libyan Civil War 8 years later
SO WHAT DID TRUMP ACHIEVE
TRUMP’S REAL OBJECTIVE
- What happens on the Korean Peninsula – and whether Sunday’s historic photo-op turns out to be a significant diplomatic moment or just political theater – could have implications for Trump’s attempt to break the logjam in the Middle East.
- Any steps forward to some kind of an agreement with North Korea could also further isolate Iran by potentially driving a wedge in the North Korean-Iranian nexus. If North Korea – as a result of agreements with the US – begins to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and scales back the scope of its ballistic missile program, it would also increase pressure on Iran to do the same.