North Korea breakthrough: willing to discuss giving up nuclear weapons

[Axulus]

Finally a positive development:

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has told South Korean envoys that his country is willing to begin negotiations with the United States on abandoning its nuclear weapons and that it would suspend all nuclear and missile tests while it is engaged in such talks, South Korean officials said on Tuesday.

During the envoys’ two-day visit to Pyongyang, the North’s capital, which ended on Tuesday, the two Koreas also agreed to hold a summit meeting between Mr. Kim and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea on the countries’ border in late April, Mr. Moon’s office said in a statement.

“The North Korean side clearly stated its willingness to denuclearize,” the statement said. “It made it clear that it would have no reason to keep nuclear weapons if the military threat to the North was eliminated and its security guaranteed.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/world/asia/north-korea-south-nuclear-weapons.html

 

[ruby sparks]

Sounds hopeful.

- - - Updated - - -

If this were to work out, it could be a major coup for the Trump Administration.

 

[Copernicus]

That is very good news, if true. However, North Korea has a history of making Lucy and her football look like the pinnacle of sportsmanlike behavior. Kim Jong Un is much better than Trump at the game of renegging on promises. In any case, Republicans will be crowing over the sheer briiliance and success of Trump's bully-boy behavior in the near future. Personally, I don't think that Kim can afford to be seen as caving to Trump, so I suspect that it is a little early to put on a happy face over this news.

 

[Keith&Co.]

Kim Jong Un is much better than Trump at the game of renegging on promises.

There's an old 'When I Was Short' comic I can't find...
He questions the quote: If boys played with little toy pacifists instead of toy soldiers, there would be no more wars.
1st boy (holding an action figure waving a peace sign): I cut my nuclear arsenal by 10%.
2nd boy (holding an action figure waving a no-nukes sign): I cut MY arsenal by 50%!
1st: I cut mine by 80%!!
2nd: I cut mine ENTIRELY!!
1st: Haha! I lied! Surprise attack!
2nd: Heh. I lied. Full retaliation.

In his experience it wouldn't make much difference.

 

[Copernicus]

Kim Jong Un is much better than Trump at the game of renegging on promises.

There's an old 'When I Was Short' comic I can't find...
He questions the quote: If boys played with little toy pacifists instead of toy soldiers, there would be no more wars.
1st boy (holding an action figure waving a peace sign): I cut my nuclear arsenal by 10%.
2nd boy (holding an action figure waving a no-nukes sign): I cut MY arsenal by 50%!
1st: I cut mine by 80%!!
2nd: I cut mine ENTIRELY!!
1st: Haha! I lied! Surprise attack!
2nd: Heh. I lied. Full retaliation.

In his experience it wouldn't make much difference.

Exactly. Most little boys are more sensible than that. They badger their parents for ever more powerful toy weapons, until one day they can get their hands on ones that aren't toys. And boys do like to play with their toys. Otherwise, what's the point in having them?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

North Korea is like a sine wave. It goes up and down, cyclically. North Korea ain't doing nothing with their nukes.

Kim Jong Un is much better than Trump at the game of renegging on promises.

There's an old 'When I Was Short' comic I can't find...

He questions the quote: If boys played with little toy pacifists instead of toy soldiers, there would be no more wars.
1st boy (holding an action figure waving a peace sign): I cut my nuclear arsenal by 10%.
2nd boy (holding an action figure waving a no-nukes sign): I cut MY arsenal by 50%!
1st: I cut mine by 80%!!
2nd: I cut mine ENTIRELY!!
1st: Haha! I lied! Surprise attack!
2nd: Heh. I lied. Full retaliation.

In his experience it wouldn't make much difference.

Clearly this guy doesn't know a thing about boys and shields.

 

[Elixir]

North Korea has a history of making Lucy and her football look like the pinnacle of sportsmanlike behavior.

I figger Rocketman is toying with Teh Dotard. Trying to make him search for another Enemy du Jour to attack. One who might not make him look so much like he's just looking for a fight (which he is of course). If Kim keeps whistling that tune, expect Iran to be presented as ever more of an immediate threat in coming weeks. Anything, as long as it keeps Russia off the front page.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Fool me twice, shame on me.

 

[Copernicus]

North Korea has a history of making Lucy and her football look like the pinnacle of sportsmanlike behavior.

I figger Rocketman is toying with Teh Dotard. Trying to make him search for another Enemy du Jour to attack. One who might not make him look so much like he's just looking for a fight (which he is of course). If Kim keeps whistling that tune, expect Iran to be presented as ever more of an immediate threat in coming weeks. Anything, as long as it keeps Russia off the front page.

North Korea, like Trump, cannot stand to be ignored. Its nuclear tests, missile tests, and taunts are only good for so many headlines. Going to the negotiating table grabs more hadlines. Then they start arguing over the shape of the table and "non-negotiable" demands.