May 24–After a series of diplomatic setbacks, the prospective meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un for June 12 in Singapore is now cancelled.
In a letter to Kim posted on the White House, Trump wrote, “Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.”
Earlier in the day, North Korean Vice-Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui issued an angry response to a Fox News interview by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in which Pence referenced a comparison by U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton of North Korea to Libya. Libya underwent a revolution and loss of leadership years after its government agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons.
Ms. Choe Son Hui said, “Before making such reckless threatening remarks without knowing exactly who he is facing, Pence should have seriously considered the terrible consequences of his words.” The full statement is available on the Straits Times of Singapore.
In the Fox News interview on May 21, Pence said, “You know, there were some talk about the Libya model last week. And you know, as the president made clear, you know, this will only end like the Libya Model ended if Kim Jong-un doesn’t make a deal.”
Pence added to a follow-up question that, “President Trump made it clear the United States of America under his leadership is not going to tolerate the regime in North Korea possessing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles that threaten the United States and our allies. We’ve made it clear that we are continuing to bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on North Korea that all options are on the table to achieve that end.”
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Sources:
Trump May 24 Letter
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