Trump Says He Will 'Get the Conflict Solved' with North Korea
Jun 30
2 min read
News Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would "get the conflict solved" with North Korea if one exists, emphasizing his strong personal relationship with Kim Jong Un.
He reiterated his openness to reengaging with the regime, aligning with his administration’s goal of complete denuclearization.
While Trump did not clarify what "conflict" he was referring to, his remarks likely addressed the ongoing military tensions due to North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs.
Commentary
Although Trump emphasized his strong relationship with Kim Jong Un, his comment on “get the conflict solved” does not mean he will only use carrots to solve the conflict.
The surprise U.S. strikes on three fortified Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22—an operation that reportedly led to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran—demonstrate that Trump is willing to use military force when he believes it’s necessary.
Those who argue that Trump wouldn’t strike North Korea because it already has nuclear weapons may not have expected him to unleash 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iran either.
As revealed by Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. military spent over 15 years preparing to destroy Iran’s most fortified nuclear site.
It would be naïve to think no such plan exists for North Korea, whose nuclear threat is arguably greater—and whose regime is far more isolated. That plan may not only target facilities, but possibly the regime itself.
Of course, Trump does not want to use this option, which would likely bring instability into the region. But if Kim, as he has done, continues to double down on his nuclear program, rely on anti-American sentiment to maintain power, and become a center of proliferation of fissile materials, the calculus could change.
The truth is, Kim and Trump have incompatible goals that cannot be reconciled—a fact clearly revealed in the 2019 Hanoi summit. Kim may not waste any more time with Trump. But Trump seems determined to “get the conflict solved” through whatever means necessary.
