Kim Says He’ll Give Up Weapons if U.S. Promises Not to Invade

New York Times ^ | 04/29/2018 | Choe Sang Hun

[libertylover]

Question I haven’t heard answered yet: If the two countries reunite, then which “president” will assume control over the “new”, whole, Korea? And, what will happen to the other one?

It's a good question. I believe I'd push for a presidential election for the united Korea and Kim can be on the ballot if he wants to be. Or he can take a few billion dollars and move to China or somewhere.

I'm hopeful about all of this but I'm not counting my chickens just yet. I still think he's trying for a deal like Obama gave the Ayatollahs.

[GG-1]

I don’t think reunification is on the table.

This is just a re-opening of diplomacy between the two nations - and treaties that might follow.

Kim wants us out - no US nuke threat, no protection of S. Korea - that’s what “denuclearization” means to him.

Trumps trying get some credit here - but he also is showing some healthy skepticism...I think he should stick the later until there is some more proof in the pudding.

If things don’t turn out favorable to the US - in his rush to take credit - he’ll own it.

[Drew68]

Question I haven’t heard answered yet: If the two countries reunite, then which “president” will assume control over the “new”, whole, Korea? And, what will happen to the other one?

I don't think Kim wants to be president. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an arrangement that allows him to step aside, keep his wealth, stay out of the firing squad, and remain something of a symbolic figurehead. He can go live a playboy's life in the south of France while an international commission of sorts takes over the North Korean armed forces and governance.

Does South Korea want to absorb 25 million backwards, starving, sickly, North Koreans? They saw the difficulties West Germany faced with the East almost 30 years ago and understand that they're even less prepared for reunification. The North is in pretty bad shape. It's going to take a lot of work.

[libertylover]

What an incredible achievement for Trump if this can be achieved.

Yes, no doubt it would be an incredible achievement for Trump! Then the Nobel Peace Prize committee would feel compelled to give their award to ... Kim Jong Un.

[Ouderkirk]

In Paradise Lost, “it is better to Rein in Hell than serve in heaven”

But that may not necessarily be true. When just a few miles down the road, the “average” South Korean lives better than you do, I’m not convinced that being the “top dog” in a shithole has any real advantage.

I think this is where Kim has arrived. He has zero freedom in the world, no real measurable wealth, a shithole for a home, and a people who would kill him if they could get near him.

Anything is a step up from there.

[exDemMom]

We haven’t invaded for over 50 years and it’s not because of their phenomenal weapons systems and military might.

But if it keeps him happy,.....

He is saying that to save face. He knows that the US has never seriously threatened North Korea since the active war ended, and he and his father constantly used belligerence to get our attention and get concessions from us. It worked; Kim Jong Il hit the jackpot with Bill Clinton, who responded to his belligerence by providing him the means of actually developing nuclear weapons which would really back up his belligerent posturing.

Now we have President Trump, who has witnessed the behavior of North Korea’s “leaders” and said he will not tolerate or reward it. He is such a refreshing change.

[libertylover]

Why would he want to take over a Third World country without lights?

I think part of the deal would be a huge multi-national aid package (US, Japan, SK, others) to feed NK and set them up to feed themselves, build roads, and electrical grids so that NK can join the rest of the world.

[EagleUSA]

Would you buy a used car from this guy???

Honesty is as rare as a warm hot dog on the streets of Pyongyang.....

[FreedomPoster]

You really shouldn’t let the Norks vote in an election for a generation.

[vette6387]

“The parallels with East Germany are eerie but true.”

Yes, but just pray that North Korea doesn’t have an Angela Merkel waiting in the wings! That old fat Hausfrau has managed to ruin Germany.

[logi_cal869]

I’ve been dwelling on this; it was inevitable.

For a guy whose family embraced a self-destructive ideology which made subjects of its citizens, invaded its neighbor, was responsible for perhaps millions of deaths between the war and domestic actions, engaged an international criminal enterprise on an unprecedented scale, built weapons of mass destruction and threatening others with use thereof while collaborating with & arming our enemies...

...the potential for being further elevated from supreme leader to peacemaker while being afforded guarantees sure to enrich your family beyond most people’s wildest dreams and shoulder the burden of cleaning up his messes upon the rest of the world is a pretty sweet deal.

The ultimate con. True human behavior on display. Iran will not be so easy...

[libertylover]

You really shouldn’t let the Norks vote in an election for a generation.

Maybe, but for this to work I think they need to feel a part of their new country.

[Paperpusher]

How about some what ifs?
What if Kim fears that Trump really would take him out?
What if Kim never wanted Nukes himself but was a testing ground for Iran to develop Nukes, and Iran paid well?
What if all the testing has been done and workable nukes have been made, with Iran gaining the knowledge to make them?
What next?

[Pelham]

“North Korea isn’t the only Kim it’s also a Cadre of generals. who really thinks if young Kim completely discarded their nuclear program that he could survive a coup from the generals..?”

And that is the big issue. The generals have had the real power and the Kim family rules at their pleasure. Kim is essentially a puppet. Or a hostage. Over on twitter Thomas Wictor is wondering whether someone eliminated all of those generals in a night of the long knives, freeing little Kim to do what we are now seeing.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/989998822918053889.html

[GingisK]

He might want to consult the Native Americans on that one.

[GG-1]

I’m not sure what you guys are reading - but this far from reunification - there is no “new country.” It’s still 2 sovereign nations - and I suspect will operate as such for the foreseeable future.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Call me crazy but:
1) China hates the new tariffs
2) Tells Kim to make nice with us
3) here we are

[Vigilanteman]

What is remarkable about this, even if I am skeptical as well, is this is the first time since the establishment of the DMZ at the end of the Korean Conflict 65 years ago that the Norks have promised concrete action in exchange for a promise.

Up until now, it is the United States and our allies who have offered concrete action (payments, supply of fuel, etc.) in exchange for (worthless) promises by the Norks.

[bgill]

Trump doesn’t trust but is playing along to soothe the big baby for the time being.

[Savage Rider]

We promise not to invade if you promise to behave yourself, feed your people and try to improve their lives.