Was the Singapore Summit a failure?

In The Federalist, Helen Raleigh is wondering if the Singapore Summit is a failure.

...First, new satellite images show Pyongyang has made swift improvements to the infrastructure at its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, and increased its production of enriched uranium for nuclear weapons. Second, recent evidence gathered by South Korea’s military suggests Pyongyang is working on a new submarine capable of launching nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.

Third, North Korea is gearing up for its annual summer military exercise, notwithstanding Trump’s announcement halting the U.S. and South Korea’s joint military exercise. Fourth, Kim promised the immediate repatriation of the already identified remains of U.S. POWs in Singapore. But the Defense Department is reportedly still waiting for the remains, with no explanation for the delay.

The way North Korea handled Pompeo’s weekend trip was the most troubling sign. He and his team had little idea of his schedule in North Korea, Bloomberg reported. They didn’t know whether he would meet Kim this time (they didn’t), or even which hotel they would stay in. North Korea took control of the agenda from beginning to end. When pressed by Pompeo for concrete steps toward denuclearization, Pyongynag dared to slam the U.S. for making “ganster like” demands. All these are signs that it has been business as usual in North Korea, and that no significant steps have been taken toward denuclearization since the June summit.

Some have suggested Pyongyang’s latest flip flop is an often used negotiation tactic to push for concessions. But these revelations beg the question: Was the Singapore summit a failure? It’s still a bit early to declare it a failure. But the Trump administration should be concerned given North Korea’s long history of deception.

...We’ve seen this cycle happen too many times in the last three decades. Every administration in the U.S. thought they knew better than the previous administration on how to deal with North Korea. Yet, they all ended up being fooled by the Kim family and walking away with nothing but plenty of frustration. In the meantime, North Korea continues its steadfast march toward becoming an undeniable nuclear power.

By now, it is estimated North Korea has possession of 30-60 nuclear weapons. Besides being a threat to U.S. allies, such as South Korea and Japan, today’s North Korea also poses a security threat to the U.S. mainland, after it successfully tested several intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) last year. ICBM’s are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

...While Kim is copying from China, the U.S. should also learn from China’s rise that economic developments don’t necessarily bring welcome political changes. A rich totalitarian regime is more dangerous and is capable of causing more harm than a poor one.

The true gangster the world is facing in the Korean Peninsula is North Korea. The U.S. and South Korea should have a clear eye with whom they are dealing. The only language a gangster understands is a bigger fist than his. The Trump administration should take stock of the lessons learned from Singapore and adjust its strategies by immediately doing three things.

First, resume joint military exercise with South Korea. Second, continue to apply maximum economic sanctions and punish any country or entities who break the sanctions without consulting the U.S. first. Third, the U.S. should provide next steps and a time table for North Korea’s denuclearization, rather than letting Kim dictate them. Last but not least, let’s go back to referring to Kim as the “little rocket man.” Calling him “Chairman Kim” offers him too much legitimacy he doesn’t deserve.

Trump should be especially careful not to let the “little rocket man” school him at the art of the deal.

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