It is pretty clear to anyone objectively viewing this that the Trump administration is playing good cop, bad cop with Kim Jong-un:
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday acknowledged that he saw North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a “tyrant,” potentially throwing cold water on dialogue with a regime that considers its supreme leader unassailable.
Joong Ang Ilbo
Speaking to the Senate Appropriation Committee, Pompeo’s comments came as an affirmative answer to a senator’s question on whether he considers Kim a “tyrant” in the likes of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“Sure. I’m sure I’ve said that,” Pompeo replied.
The secretary’s words were in stark contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump’s own last year when he said he “fell in love” with Kim and the praise he has lavished on the North Korean leader since. Even after his second summit with Kim in Vietnam fell apart in February, the president has maintained they continue to share a “very good” relationship.
In spite of the failed summit, Pyongyang has held back from criticizing Trump directly, saying that aides like Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton persuaded Trump to walk out. The North has since expressed interest in a third summit with Trump to work things out, an idea which was reciprocated by both Pompeo and Bolton on different occasions.
You can read more at the link, but President Trump is likely being nice to Kim Jong-un so he won’t get blamed for when negotiations ultimately fail. He is leaving the tough talk and negotiations up to Pompeo and Bolton.
