Trump calls off Kim summit
‘The world, and in particular N Korea, has lost opportunity for lasting peace.’
Washington
US President Donald Trump has called off his planned June summit with Kim Jong Un, blaming “tremendous anger” and “hostility” from the North Korean regime and warning Pyongyang against committing any “foolish or reckless acts”.
In a letter to Kim, Trump announced he would not go ahead with the high-stakes meeting set for June 12 in Singapore, and would instead pursue Washington’s campaign of “maximum pressure” through sanctions on Pyongyang.
Just before the announcement, North Korea declared it had “completely” dismantled its nuclear test site, in a carefully choreographed move portrayed by the isolated regime as a goodwill gesture ahead of the summit.
But the chances of success for the talks – an unprecedented faceto-face between US and North Korean leaders that Washington hoped would result in full denuclearisation of the North – had recently been thrown into doubt on both sides.
Trump’s announcement, which prompted South Korea’s president to convene crisis talks, came one day after Pyongyang hardened its rhetoric by attacking Vice President Mike Pence as “ignorant and stupid.”
“Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this longplanned meeting,” read Trump’s letter to Kim, released by the White House.
“The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history,” he said.
The US leader brandished the threat of America’s nuclear might in his letter: “You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.”
In later comments from the White House, Trump vowed that Washington’s “very strong sanctions, by far the strongest sanctions ever imposed, and maximum pressure campaign will continue.”
A US official said Trump “dictated every word” of letter to Kim himself. –