Should President Trump Tour the DMZ During Visit to Korea?

If the ROK government and the State Department have their way, the answer is no:

It has become the ultimate symbol of American resolve against the threat of North Korea: a visit by the U.S. commander in chief to “freedom’s frontier,” the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone that has separated the North and South for 64 years.

Wearing bomber-style jackets, surrounded by military officers, peering through binoculars, all but one president since Ronald Reagan has gazed across the barren strip of land at the 38th parallel from an observation post — and been moved to talk tough. In April, Vice President Mike Pence, undertaking the same solemn ritual, said he toured the DMZ so the North Koreans could “see our resolve in my face.”

But as President Donald Trump prepares for a 12-day swing next month through five Asian nations to bolster international pressure on Pyongyang, the administration is divided over whether he should make the pilgrimage, an issue that remains unresolved. Some aides worry a visit could further inflame already heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, while others have expressed concern over Trump’s personal safety, according to people who have spoken to administration officials.

Asian foreign policy veterans of both the Obama and George W. Bush administrations said it would be foolish for Trump not to go. But the White House is facing opposition from South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s administration and the U.S. State Department over fears that a visit would ratchet up Trump’s war of words with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, but if people are worried about President Trump saying something provocative about North Korea during his visit does the location really matter?  As far as his personal safety does anyone really think the North Koreans will assassinate President Trump while visiting Panmunjom and start a war that will end the regime?  I guess we will see how this plays out.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rock
Rock
6 years ago

No way will he go to the Z. Chump, I mean Trump, is a wimp.

Mike Morgan
Mike Morgan
6 years ago

Anonymous coward says what?

Smokes
6 years ago

Absolutely but not in the cheesy bomber jacket & binocular way it’s been done in the past. That crap’s part of the reason we’re in the situation we’re in now, the DPRK threat’s never been taken seriously and treated as a stupid tourist attraction. If he’s going up to the DMZ, skip the JSA and do an actual assessment trip not a “Here take my pic while I look through the nogs! I’m like MacArthur! Herr derr”.

In addition to making the “for the troops” stops at the US bases, POTUS should hit numerous ROK border installations with a general or two (real one not the 4-star babysitter @ USFK) and get a real feel for what’s involved. No photos or videos released until after the trip (duh you don’t post real-time vacation photos, that’s how you get robbed).

If you have to do the JSA you go Trump on it and do it at night nice and quiet and only release a single photo of Trump alone all shadowey looking sternly across to NK.
http://www.nataliakuna.com/uploads/6/9/9/2/6992960/750853402.jpg

Tbonety1r
Tbonety1r
6 years ago

I think he should go, and do one of those Larry David eye to eye stares (Curb your enthusiasm) with the North Korean guards.

4
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x