true that Russia and China are major players, but SK is neighbor-in-law, so letting SK feel involved is also important.
Trump walked because Kim wanted all UN/US sanctions other than nuclear lifted. He wants the economic freedom taken from him. And he’s realizing what economic freedom really means (and so are his generals). Economic freedom means relief for his people and a higher standard of living, but it also means more money for nuclear programs, sanctions or no.
Trump wants verifiable destruction of the entire nuclear program before giving Kim that key to economic freedom. That has been our stance, and the stance of the UN, from the git-go. Trump sent a strong message by walking away, we’re not playing games any more, but at the same time Trump may be using Moon to continue to wave a small carrot in front of NK - one or two trade opportunities but only with SK..and only in exchange for xyz. Kim is doing a little ‘official state visit’ with the Vietnamese today which is another carrot - you ‘could’ trade with us but right now you can’t unless you do abc, kinda message. Remembering it’s not just Trump negotiating, but Trump negotiating for all of the UN members who sanctioned NK and continue to be threatened by NK nukes.
Spooky how the UN “works” re NK.