On June 12, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jung-Un. At Michigan State University, the Sr. Vice President on the Council of Korean Studies is watching the developments closely.
When the two leaders of North and South Korea appeared together recently, Peter Yoon of MSU’s Council on Korean Studies, said it gave him hope.
“I think it was very good news for the Koreas and for the world," said Yoon. "I see a very good result will come especially when they meet with the President of the United States of America.”
North Korean leader Kim Jun Un said he would shut down his country’s only known nuclear test site and allow journalists to watch the process if the United States commits to a formal end to the Korean War.
“Yes that will happen but we are only to also consider that’s not the only nuclear facilities in North Korea," said Yoon.
The former Soviet Union helped North Korea develop nuclear technology from the 1950’s until the Cold War collapse in the late 1980’s.
Yoon said the North needed the technology to generate electricity and the weapons to stay in control.
He said the country does not want to take on the U.S. or its allies but Kim Jung Un wants to stay in control.
“If they just use the nuclear warhead, either on South Korea or Japan or U.S., they know that’s the end of their regime," said Yoon. "However, when they have at least one nuclear warhead, their regime is very secure.”
Yoon said some Korean-Americans are skeptical of Kim Jun Un’s promises to dismantle nuclear weapons but South Koreans see promise.
“Especially in South Korea, the people, they are very optimistic about it because President Moon is very popular with the Koreans," said Yoon. "In the latest survey, talks about more than 90 percent of South Koreans support the meeting with the North Korean president.”
Now – the future is in the hands of Kim Jun Un and US President Donald J Trump.
