John Bolton Warns of High Risks in Potential Trump and Kim Summit in Pyongyang

Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton stated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump may seek a new summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang. Speaking at an online forum hosted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies, Bolton suggested that Trump would target Pyongyang because he has already met Kim in Singapore and visited the DMZ, making a trip to the capital the only remaining option for a significant public relations event. Bolton assessed that Trump is motivated by a desire for publicity and a distraction from domestic issues, such as U.S. prices and the November midterm elections, as well as international conflicts in the Middle East.

Bolton warned that the risk of such a meeting is very high, citing a lack of planning. He recalled an incident during the 2018 Singapore summit where Trump abruptly agreed to suspend joint military drills with South Korea after Kim complained about them. Bolton noted that he, Mike Pompeo, and John Kelly were stunned by the decision because there had been zero planning for such a move. He further recounted a moment when Trump suggested Kim board Air Force One for a trip to Pyongyang, an idea that Bolton said the Secret Service and other aides talked him out of.

Recent tensions regarding military readiness were highlighted by Trump's order last month to scale back the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. Trump argued the drills were costly and sent a hostile signal to the North, while critics expressed concern that the reduction could undermine deterrence against nuclear and missile threats. Bolton expressed skepticism regarding what Trump could accomplish from a new meeting, warning that Trump dangerously views international relations solely through the prism of relationships between heads of state.