A Look at Trump’s Dictated Letter To Kim Jong-un Post Cancellation of Singapore Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the scheduled meet between him and North Korea President Kim Jong-un would not happen. The meeting’s reason for cancellation was provided as "tremendous anger and open hostility" from the North. He said it was possible a meeting could still take place but warned North Korea against committing "foolish" acts.

Trump post the announcement released a letter by him to Kim Jong-un, conveying a personal message to North Korea’s leader. The letter offers insight at Trump-style diplomacy and what might happen next.

First Paragraph: The letter from Donald Trump begins with – His Excellency – a title which seems to have been passed on to the North Korean leader after his father Kim Jong-il. This is followed by a polite and gracious sentence on establishing that both sides expended energy to set time for the summit. However, this sentence is followed by telling Kim, that the meeting was sought by him or at least it was so conveyed to Trump.

After the niceties are done with, comes the meat of the message that was to be conveyed. Trump lays it on North Korea’s door that it was the country’s rhetoric in recent days that was responsible for the decision to delay/cancel the summit: tremendous anger and open hostility displayed. Most importantly, that threats of nuclear war are futile because the United States’ reach and capability are such that it would do the world great harm if it ever came to such an eventuality: You talk about nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

Second Paragraph: With the closing paragraph, Trump underscores that he is open to future dialogue: I look very much forward to meeting you. But adds that he won this first round as he did secure the release of three Americans who were serving time in North Korea’s prisons: I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

The White House following the announcement said today that a North Korean failure to keep its word had led U.S. President Donald Trump to call off his summit with Kim Jong Un next month. "There has been a trail of broken promises that gave the United States pause," said a senior White House official, citing in particular a failure by Pyongyang to turn up to a preparatory meeting in Singapore. "They stood us up," said the official, who cited a "profound lack of good faith" on Pyongyang's behalf.

The official added that Trump had "dictated every word" of his letter to Kim cancelling the June 12 summit.

Here is the full letter written by U.S. President Donald Trump to North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un.

His Excellency

Kim Jong Un

Chairman of the State Affairs Commission

of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Pyongyang

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. 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. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America

(With Agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 25, 2018 02:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).