WASHINGTON — In shades of President Trump’s warning to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in January that his nuke button was bigger, Trump called off the June 12 summit today in a letter telling “Mr. Chairman” that his nukes are still bigger.
“You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used,” Trump wrote in the letter released by the White House today.
The missive follows days of speculation about the fate of the Singapore summit, the release of a challenge coin with Trump and Kim’s faces marking the June 12 date, and ruminating this week from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that North Korea could possible see a rush of American investment.
“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,” Trump wrote. “…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.”
It wasn’t clear which North Korean hostility Trump was referring to; a regime official called Vice President Mike Pence a “political dummy” this week.
“Whether the U.S. will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behavior of the United States,” Choe Son Hui, a vice-minister in the North Korean Foreign Ministry, said today before the release of Trump’s letter in comments carried by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency.
Trump continued, “I felt like 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.”
The president added that if Kim changes his mind, “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,” Trump wrote. “The missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.”
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