IMHO, Kim Jong Un just played Trump like the fool he always was

[garybeck]

after today's events, I think there never was going to be a meeting
there never was going to be de-nuclearization

Un knew that Trump wouldn't withdraw troops and stop military exercises

He just played trump like a fiddle

It was all a game to pump up Trump's ego, get even moderates in the US thinking he might be worthy of a Nobel Prize...., then pull the plug and make him look like a fool. Who's in charge now, mr "my button is bigger than yours?"

Now Trump has no idea what's going on. Is there a meeting or not? I just heard them, "we are working under the assumption that there will be a meeting." In other words, "we have no idea."

It's all up to Un now, whether or not there will be a meeting, and Trump is left wondering and second guessing.... and looking like an idiot.

I think it was probably planned that way from the beginning.

[Demovictory9]

1. agreed

[Bok_Tukalo]

2. I think Kim is probing

He is trying to see the resolve (such as it is) of SK and the US.

Just my opinion.

Ultimately, Kim wants a seat at The Nuclear Table.

[blkyank1]

7. What Kim wants

Is a peace treaty with South Korea and the United States that doesn't require him to give up his "Trump" card
of nuclear weapons. He got Trump to sign onto talks (with the hope of a Noble prize) under the belief that nukes
were on the table. Now NK has said that is not the case. Trump can either "Respectfully walk out of the room"
and have a lot of egg on his face for making public statements chummy with Kim,or he can go to the talks and
try to salvage something.

NK hopes that Donald will be so in need of a "win" he will accept a deal where Kim signs a peace treaty with the USA
and SK, and maybe stops development of more advanced nuclear weapons, in exchange for billions of dollars of aid
and foreign investment from those countries, in addition to promises to never invade North Korea and removal of
US troops from South Korea.

[underpants]

11. I agree. He relented (the testing mountain collapsed) and now he is putting on a strong face

The testing mountain (Mantap?) had a major collapse the last week of April which by some accounts killed 100-200. Those dead could very well include some/many of their top scientists or technicians. At the least they lost people with experience working there. The facility by many accounts is useless now. Suddenly Un wants to play nice. This not only fits his MO of being nice to get sanction relief then going hardline again but the railcar ride to China was also probably a summoning that set all this in motion.

[triron]

3. Takes one corrupt individual to know another.

[oberliner]

4. Isn't his goal to get a meeting with a US President?

Why would he back out of it when the opportunity is in front of him?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

9. Having the president want to meet him and call him "honorable" may have been the current goal.

Actually having the meeting was just icing on the cake. There was no way Kim would give up his nukes.

Trump has been played. He was blinded by the possibility of a Nobel Prize and his huge ego.

So, now he's fucked up the Iran deal and the North Korea meeting. He's rapidly alienating all of our allies. Plus, his ill-advised move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem has resulted in nearly a hundred people killed.

And he's only been in office for 17 months. SAD!

[RockRaven]

5. Of course Kim played Trump like the fool he's always been...

because Trump has always been the fool that he's always been... IN PUBLIC... WHILE DESPERATELY SEEKING PUBLICITY... FOR HIS PUBLIC FOOLISHNESS.

Trump isn't even the patsy here. He's a f*cking enthusiastic collaborative dupe.

[pnwest]

6. Trump got fucking spanked. On the world

stage, waaaaay beyond played, he let himself get spanked for all the world to see. Un set him up, stroked his ego, probably started the damn Nobel whisper campaign himself, and then yanked the rug out from under him. And the great negotiator never. saw. it. coming. It’s a fucking travesty what he’s done to this nation, and how fucking simple he is.

[garybeck]

14. yup, that's what I was saying in so many words. n't

[Cicada]

8. I think overreaching statements from Pompey, Bolton poisoned any meeting

N Korea expects to trade some restraints for some help

Bolton and Pompey said that as a precondition N Korea had to surrender everything, now

No way jose

[roscoeroscoe]

10. Right

Amateur hour

[Vinca]

12. John Bolton didn't help much saying it was going to be like Libya.

I'm betting Kim reads newspapers. LOL.

[Javaman]

13. yup and more over...

I think Un has been testing the waters as to how much he can control trump.

Un is a chess player.

the orange asshole plays checkers with a few pieces missing.

[SharonAnn]

15. I agree. Kim Jung Un is playing him.

[garybeck]

16. most bullies are idiots and they think talking tough will get results.

it works in the playground but not here. Un and his family/regime have been at this too long to simply give in to Trumps tough talk. It doesn't fit the pattern. the pattern is they say one thing and do another, and confuse the enemy. bait and switch. Trump is playing right into their hands.