DNA Edit: Talks of Trump-Kim meet, junked for now, raises hope

So the US president Donald Trump has cancelled his much hyped meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that was scheduled to be held in Singapore on June 12. Trump has attributed the cancellation to hostility and aggression from North Korea in the last few days. The turn of events has been indeed quite curious from the very beginning. No one had thought both leaders would agree to meet in the first place, given the pow wow between the two over Twitter. Both even boasted about their nuclear capabilities. Trump calling Kim Jong-un the Little Rocket Man took the cake. It was entertaining but was quite childish given the absurdity and unpredictability of North Korean leadership. And yet, both came around and hope of peace sprouted. Kim even met South Korea’s president in the demilitarised zone and those excited even suggested Trump’s name for the Nobel Peace prize.

Despite naysayers, US administration even released a commemorative coin to celebrate the proposed meeting that would have been the biggest event of the century so far. What changed the mood, then? Those watching the statements from both sides in the run up to the meeting are blaming hawks in Trump administration as well as well as a backhand stroke from China, North Korea’s long-time (and possibly only) ally. Kim’s visit to China came about ten days ago and the tone and tenor of North Korea’ administration changed thereafter. It refused complete denuclearisation, which many in the US administration wanted to be discussed threadbare. Trump suspected the change and even expressed his doubts a few days ago.

Though the meeting now stands cancelled, what is heartening is that both leaders’ statements have been cautious. Both are still hopeful of a meeting in future. North Korea’s response is particularly refreshing as the statement from a minister reads his country is open to resolve problems any time in any way. We can only hope that peace will prevail.