Former U.S. Official Suggests Trump May Tacitly Accept North Korean Nuclear Program in Potential Summit

Anthony Ruggiero, the former National Security Council director for North Korea during Donald Trump's first term, stated in an opinion piece for The Hill that President Trump could offer a tacit acceptance of North Korea's nuclear weapons program if a summit with Kim Jong-un occurs. Ruggiero suggested that other potential offers could include a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War, a permanent end to U.S. and South Korean military exercises, and improved political and economic ties. He also noted that Trump could facilitate future negotiations between the two Koreas.

Speculation regarding a meeting has grown following reports from The Wall Street Journal that Trump might seek a summit during a trip to Asia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, this November. Concerns have emerged that Trump may shift Washington's focus from complete denuclearization toward arms control or tension reduction. These concerns were highlighted after Trump mentioned that Pyongyang possesses 57 powerful nuclear weapons and declined to confirm if denuclearization remains his primary goal.

In response to these concerns, the State Department reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, and a U.S. official stated there has been no change in policy. Ruggiero argued that Trump should pursue achievable goals rather than repeating previous strategies, though he emphasized that any deal must include verifiable limits on nuclear and missile programs and the withdrawal of North Korean troops and military aid from Russia's war in Ukraine. He further advised using sanctions against North Koreans and Chinese entities aiding sanctions evasion to maintain leverage.

Trump previously held three in-person meetings with Kim in Singapore, Hanoi, and Panmunjom between 2018 and 2019.