S.Korea’s Moon says Trump deserves ‘big’ credit for North Korea talks

"SEOUL — South Korean President Moon Jae-in credited United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jan 10) for helping to spark the first inter-Korean talks in more than two years, and warned that Pyongyang would face stronger sanctions if provocations continued.

“I think President Trump deserves big credit for bringing about the inter-Korean talks. I want to show my gratitude," Mr Moon told reporters at his New Year’s news conference. “It could be a resulting work of the US-led sanctions and pressure.”

The two Koreas held talks on Tuesday on the South Korean side of the demilitarised zone, which has divided the two nations since 1953, after a prolonged period of tension on the Korean peninsula over the North’s missile and nuclear programmes............

Lee Woo-young, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said it was wise of Mr Moon to praise Mr Trump, his sanctions and pressure campaign.

"By doing that, he can help the US build logic for moving toward negotiations and turning around the state of affairs in the future, so when they were ready to talk to the North, they can say the North came out of isolation because the sanctions were effective."..............

https://www.todayonline.com/world/skoreas-moon-says-trump-deserves-big-credit-north-korea-talks

Any bets on who will be the first TDS liberal to try to make this a negative...???

faithful_servant said:

Any bets on who will be the first TDS liberal to try to make this a negative...???

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This is just Moon manipulating our president. NK has "entered" peace talks before, let's see if they actually exit the talks with a deal before celebrating.

It is clear that all heads of state have been well briefed as to the best way to curry favor with the Trump Administration. Yesterday’s press conference with the leader of Kazakhstan is a good example of the praising, fawning and deference used since the inauguration.

North Korea will behave as they wish to be invited to the Games next month. The North pulled the same stunt a month leading up to the 88 games. Once the games finish it will be sabre rattling all over again. Watch and wait.

Waddy said:

"SEOUL — South Korean President Moon Jae-in credited United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jan 10) for helping to spark the first inter-Korean talks in more than two years, and warned that Pyongyang would face stronger sanctions if provocations continued.

“I think President Trump deserves big credit for bringing about the inter-Korean talks. I want to show my gratitude," Mr Moon told reporters at his New Year’s news conference. “It could be a resulting work of the US-led sanctions and pressure.”

The two Koreas held talks on Tuesday on the South Korean side of the demilitarised zone, which has divided the two nations since 1953, after a prolonged period of tension on the Korean peninsula over the North’s missile and nuclear programmes............

Lee Woo-young, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said it was wise of Mr Moon to praise Mr Trump, his sanctions and pressure campaign.

"By doing that, he can help the US build logic for moving toward negotiations and turning around the state of affairs in the future, so when they were ready to talk to the North, they can say the North came out of isolation because the sanctions were effective."..............

https://www.todayonline.com/world/skoreas-moon-says-trump-deserves-big-credit-north-korea-talks

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Yeah, because a politician would NEVER say anything like that unless he really, really meant it, huh? Especially after watching - on two different occasions - Trump's advisers and staff and other Republicans essentially line up and say what an inCREDible, treMENdous, exQUISite leader Trump is, while at the same time completely ignoring the smear of brown on every one of their noses. It was so obvious that Dictionary.com noted that Mike Pence had just provided a real-world definition of the word "sycophant".

But I get it - if anybody says anything good about Trump, they MUST mean every word of it, because of course he's the greatest leader ever...and anyone who ever criticizes him is just a jealous, huh? 'Cause there's no way that Trump is wrong about anything ever!

Like I have said previously...Trumphaters simply cannot accept anything good that Trump does.

I too had my doubts that Trump had anything to do with the NK and SK situation. After all, he's not involved in the talks or has any ambassador involved in the talks so how could Trump be responsible? Looks like I forgot to take into account the sanctions and Trumps own tough talk towards NK. Thank you to Mr. Moon for showing me other reasons that I hadn't thought about.

Glen Contrarian said:

But I get it - if anybody says anything good about Trump, they MUST mean every word of it, because of course he's the greatest leader ever...and anyone who ever criticizes him is just a jealous, huh? 'Cause there's no way that Trump is wrong about anything ever!

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As opposed to those that hear anything good about Trump automatically dismissing it and/or spinning it to where its actually a negative or people are simply "fawning"?

Pot...meet kettle.

i did not see where he thanked tRump for agreeing to suspend military shows of force until after the games have concluded
maybe he just forgot. or maybe it was because that was something expected by north korea for it to continue to proceed with peaceful discussions with south korea
thus, un forced tRump to back off with the military displays - at least for the time being
any chance that was the reason that no 'thank you' was given by SK to tRump for that retrenchment of US forces

Kal'Stang said:

Like I have said previously...Trumphaters simply cannot accept anything good that Trump does.

I too had my doubts that Trump had anything to do with the NK and SK situation. After all, he's not involved in the talks or has any ambassador involved in the talks so how could Trump be responsible? Looks like I forgot to take into account the sanctions and Trumps own tough talk towards NK. Thank you to Mr. Moon for showing me other reasons that I hadn't thought about.

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The only thing that matters is NK’s willingness to discuss their missile and nuclear armaments which they have not done.

NK doesn’t give a damn about sanctions or anything else, a feel good commitment to this olympics is nice, don’t get me wrong but Trump and sanctions have absolutely nothing to do with it, as none of this affects the things that really matter and NK playing nice, so easily in this situation is incredibly out of character.

So while you rush to give your stable genius a pat on the back, and the South Korean President moves to flatter Trump to curry favour because Trump is that easily impressed, this is being done with an alterior motive in mind, NK doesn’t play nice for no reason.

Let's remember guys the biggest threat to the U.S national security is not Russia or North Korea, it is China!

They manipulated and played Obama like a puppet and we are paying the consequences.

IMO we should implement 20-50% tariff on all Chinese goods and re-introduce the Chinese Exclusion Act, or at least some version of it to reduce the number of Chinese immigrants in half.

Jetboogieman said:

The only thing that matters is NK’s willingness to discuss their missile and nuclear armaments which they have not done.

NK doesn’t give a damn about sanctions or anything else, a feel good commitment to this olympics is nice, don’t get me wrong but Trump and sanctions have absolutely nothing to do with it, as none of this affects the things that really matter and NK playing nice, so easily in this situation is incredibly out of character.

So while you rush to give your stable genius a pat on the back, and the South Korean President moves to flatter Trump to curry favour because Trump is that easily impressed, this is being done with an alterior motive in mind, NK doesn’t play nice for no reason.

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You do realize that in the art of negotiation this, if everything goes well, could be considered as a "first step towards improved relations"? Is it possible that NK will back out or after the Olympics go back to being aggressive? Sure. But its also possible that this will improve relations between the two countries. Which is a positive. Nothing is ever certain. But when opportunities present themselves you don't slap opportunities hand away.

And I get it, you don't want to give Trump any positive credit what so ever. However Mr. Moon, the South Korean President, disagree's with you. Why should you be believed over him?

Bucky said:

IMO we should implement 20-50% tariff on all Chinese goods and.

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Watch the world economy collapse.

Kal'Stang said:

Like I have said previously...Trumphaters simply cannot accept anything good that Trump does.

I too had my doubts that Trump had anything to do with the NK and SK situation. After all, he's not involved in the talks or has any ambassador involved in the talks so how could Trump be responsible? Looks like I forgot to take into account the sanctions and Trumps own tough talk towards NK. Thank you to Mr. Moon for showing me other reasons that I hadn't thought about.

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Nope I never mentioned Trump, though I will reserve giving Don the credit until post winter games. The North does not want to be excluded from the party. This has more to do with them wanting an invite than Trumps bluster. Don't believe me, look up N Koreas actions leading up to Seoul 88. The grandson is using the grandfathers playbook.

Jetboogieman said:

The only thing that matters is NK’s willingness to discuss their missile and nuclear armaments which they have not done.

NK doesn’t give a damn about sanctions or anything else, a feel good commitment to this olympics is nice, don’t get me wrong but Trump and sanctions have absolutely nothing to do with it, as none of this affects the things that really matter and NK playing nice, so easily in this situation is incredibly out of character.

So while you rush to give your stable genius a pat on the back, and the South Korean President moves to flatter Trump to curry favour because Trump is that easily impressed, this is being done with an alterior motive in mind, NK doesn’t play nice for no reason.

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This is just Moon doing the easiest thing any world leader can do right now to get what they want out of the US: manipulate Trump by stroking his ego.

Scary.

Kal'Stang said:

You do realize that in the art of negotiation this, if everything goes well, could be considered as a "first step towards improved relations"? Is it possible that NK will back out or after the Olympics go back to being aggressive? Sure. But its also possible that this will improve relations between the two countries. Which is a positive. Nothing is ever certain. But when opportunities present themselves you don't slap opportunities hand away.

And I get it, you don't want to give Trump any positive credit what so ever. However Mr. Moon, the South Korean President, disagree's with you. Why should you be believed over him?

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Who said anything about slapping anything away?

But One has to notice, North Korea is still working on their missile and nuclear program unabated and that’s the only thing that’s really matters and while they continue to do so, world headlines are currently obscured in their favour as they take their final steps to perfecting miniaturizing a nuclear warhead to fit onto a missile which would make them a true nuclear power.

NK never does anything like this without seeking to benefit from it, I want to be wrong but I’ve studied NK for a long time, we shall see.

As for Trump, the SK President is smart, Trump took credit and to curry favour he didn’t contradict him.

That’s called diplomacy and it’s something Moon is better at than Trump is.

Bucky said:

Let's remember guys the biggest threat to the U.S national security is not Russia or North Korea, it is China!

They manipulated and played Obama like a puppet and we are paying the consequences.

IMO we should implement 20-50% tariff on all Chinese goods and re-introduce the Chinese Exclusion Act, or at least some version of it to reduce the number of Chinese immigrants in half.

Click to expand...

Chinese tariffs will cause Wal-Mart to dry up and blow away........

Kal'Stang said:

As opposed to those that hear anything good about Trump automatically dismissing it and/or spinning it to where its actually a negative or people are simply "fawning"?

Pot...meet kettle.

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It may be the pot calling the kettle black, however that analogy falls flat unless the kettle actually is black.

Are you acknowledging that the kettle is black in this case?

Rexedgar said:

Chinese tariffs will cause Wal-Mart to dry up and blow away........

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Not just Wal-Mart. A lot of businesses.

Absentglare said:

This is just Moon manipulating our president.

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based on what evidence?! How could have the slightest idea what an asian leader is thinking? you people are amazing. any lie to forward your BS narrative of the President. sick

Kal'Stang said:

Like I have said previously...Trumphaters simply cannot accept anything good that Trump does.

I too had my doubts that Trump had anything to do with the NK and SK situation. After all, he's not involved in the talks or has any ambassador involved in the talks so how could Trump be responsible? Looks like I forgot to take into account the sanctions and Trumps own tough talk towards NK. Thank you to Mr. Moon for showing me other reasons that I hadn't thought about.

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Oh come on. You know as well as I do that all of this is just Russian propaganda to make CNN look bad.

Jetboogieman said:

Who said anything about slapping anything away?

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That is what you're doing by dismissing what Mr. Moon said.

Jetboogieman said:

But One has to notice, North Korea is still working on their missile and nuclear program unabated and that’s the only thing that’s really matters and while they continue to do so, world headlines are currently obscured in their favour as they take their final steps to perfecting miniaturizing a nuclear warhead to fit onto a missile which would make them a true nuclear power.

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Like I said, its a first step. If everything goes well perhaps NK will stop. Won't know though until that first step...which is always small...is taken. You seem to be expecting a running start. Nothing ever starts out with running.

Jetboogieman said:

NK never does anything like this without seeking to benefit from it, I want to be wrong but I’ve studied NK for a long time, we shall see.

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Would you expect ANY country to do something unless there was a benefit to it? I wouldn't. The question is "what is the benefit that is being sought after?" Followed by "if we don't like the benefit is it possible to give some other benefit that they would take that would benefit us also?"

Jetboogieman said:

As for Trump, the SK President is smart, Trump took credit and to curry favour he didn’t contradict him.

That’s called diplomacy and it’s something Moon is better at than Trump is.

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See, you simply cannot accept that Trumps actions and bluster may have very well led to this. You simply cannot accept anything that might be positive about Trump.

JoeTrumps said:

based on what evidence?! How could have the slightest idea what an asian leader is thinking? you people are amazing. any lie to forward your BS narrative of the President. sick

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What no links? Surely there is something with a favorable headline that you will provide....?

faithful_servant said:

Any bets on who will be the first TDS liberal to try to make this a negative...???

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I don't see how anybody can turn this into a negative. But maybe we should apply some simple understanding and common sense here...

- We know that North Korea has historically exploited the Winter Olympics to present an image of community with the rest of the world.

- We know that South Korea introduced the Sunshine Policy in 1998 (Clinton does not really get to take credit).

- We know that Bush, by branding North Korea a member of his so-called "Axis of Evil" in 2002, did not support the Sunshine Policy (which made no difference).

- We know that South Korea abandoned the Sunshine Policy in 2010 (Obama does not get to take blame).

- We know that in 2013 North Korea suggested imminent nuclear attacks against South Korea, Japan, and the United States (Obama does not get to take blame).

- We know that in late 2015 talks between the North and the South eased their growing military tensions (Obama does not really get to take credit).

- We know that North Korea has been playing with missiles throughout 2017, while Trump played a petty game of insults in between each one, thereby probably encouraging another North Korean show of missile bonerism.


NOW, in the mean time...

- We know that the current sanctions imposed on North Korea go back to 2006, when it performed its first nuclear test.

- We know that this involves eight different iterations (in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, & 2017). This would be Bush, Obama, and now Trump.

- We know that the Winter Olympics are upon us and, true to form, the North is playing the community game.



If we were to remove the self-centered and bias political goggles, we might consider the notion that this had been an ongoing and developing issue in which Trump is merely the latest guy on the block. We might also actually consider the South Korean-American relationship. U.S. foreign assistance since 1950 not only helped South Korea’s transformation into America’s trading partner, but South Korea has been America's sixth largest trading partner since 2015. Obviously, there is room for improvement. So when South Korea declares publicly that the current U.S. President (Trump) is to receive the credit for today's Winter Olympic thaw, it smacks of transparent diplomacy.

When (if?) this thaw reverts to historical normalcy between the North and the South after the Olympics are over, who's fault will it be? If Trump is to get the credit for being a peace maker, then he should get the blame when it all falls right back apart into idiocy, right? Nah. Like Clinton or Obama, Trump does not get to take the credit here. However, if the thaw lasts forever, then Trump gets to be a part of the back end of a longer effort that was mostly between the North and the South, but only somewhat involved prior American Presidents. One might compare Obama's "Getting Osama Bin Laden" for what it was - a conclusion to a much longer and wider effort than just little 'ole Obama. But no matter what goe on between the Nortyh and the South in the near future, we also know that it has nothing to do with Jung-un's declaration that he will achieve the ability to strike the interior of the American continent; and Trump's declaration that he will not. So...what and why are people really trying to praise Trump for?

Pretending that our Presidents are the center of the universe for local issues in foreign regions removes local agency and it implies that South Korea is and has done nothing for itself. But, according to the history, "we know" that is not true.

JoeTrumps said:

based on what evidence?! How could have the slightest idea what an asian leader is thinking? you people are amazing. any lie to forward your BS narrative of the President. sick

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It's flattering for President Trump; but you're right that i'm speculating, just like how Moon is speculating that it was President Trump's reckless and empty threats that brought NK to the table.