The announcement late yesterday that boy-dictator Kim Jong-Un had invited unstable con man Donald "Rump" Trump to talks left us with a vague sense of unease, despite the excited chatter by talking heads on cable. Other observers are urging a lowering of expectations, too. The state of play is that, after a very successful PR effort at the Pyeongchang Olympics, North Korea sensed an opening to a relationship with South Korea. Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong won the propaganda campaign over a stolid and stupefied VP Mike "Dense" Pence and Rump's corrupt, flashy daughter Ivanka. South Korea's President Moon Jae-In was elected on a platform of engagement with the North, and he jumped at the chance to continue the Olympic momentum with the North.
The North is under strong sanctions, and would clearly like some if not all of them lifted. Interdictions of smuggled supplies have increased, and China seems to have cooperated more than before in enforcing the sanctions. It's likely that Kim is playing for time in order to get sanctions relief during a "peace offensive;" he's used his development of nuclear weapons as a focus of national pride and patriotism as well as a bargaining chip.
Kim undoubtedly has sized up narcissistic Rump, and calculated that he's at a weak point with multiple scandals, Robert Mueller's investigation, departures of key officials, and his approval numbers dropping. He knows Rump isn't wedded to any position for long (e.g. gun control, DACA, etc.) and can be played like a fiddle with flattery and a big parade. He's probably heard from China's President Xi, who despite being the major trade offender, managed to get praise from Rump after Xi's lavish welcome for him. Kim's letter inviting Rump to a meeting no doubt had many flattering words in it, given Rump's immediate acceptance. We're certain that Rump's advisors -- such as they are -- will try mightily to keep him out of one-on-one meetings with Kim with only a translator and recording device present. Rump's ignorance, recklessness and eagerness for personal glory would easily be exploited by North Korea. Like the majority of Americans, Kim sees Rump's blatant weaknesses, even if Rump doesn't, and that should make everyone uneasy.
BONUS:
Trump, a sucker for flattery who desperately needs distraction from his problems at home and a concrete win, who fancies himself a dealmaker but who has made none as president, and who is missing the team and the process needed for a good negotiation, is an easy mark for Kim.
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) March 9, 2018
