# North Korea suspending missile testing and closing nuclear site; Trump the statesman? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 20, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829 "2018-04-20T23:09:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 31
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/601 "2018-06-14T20:53:40Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I don’t believe you. It would be completely out of the norm for North Korea to not insist on some form of compensation, even if just to cover the travel costs for the summit. From [here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-us-is-trying-to-find-a-discreet-way-to-pay-for-kim-jong-uns-hotel-in-singapore/2018/06/01/776055ce-9745-439e-9ee4-c0cef8e81523_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.78e887a389a8) Is that is, a hotel cost for travels? Really??? I’m talking about billions of dollars here like Iran received, not a hotel, travel, and meals costs. We’ll see how this progresses. De-nuclearization needs to happen, Trump’s not going to give them money and just hope. That was the former president’s act. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/602 "2018-06-14T20:57:47Z")
The sheer tribalism of “It’s good when my side does it and bad when the other side does” is just jaw-dropping… ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/603 "2018-06-14T21:00:14Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Kerry said: “_Some_ of the money MAY be used to fund terrorism. There’s no way for us to prevent that.” > > He also said that there are such great demands on the Iranian government to develop the country that “there is no way they can succeed in what they want to do if they are very busy funding a lot of terrorism.” > He continued, “If we catch them funding terrorism, they are going to have a problem with the United States Congress and other people, obviously.” > > Debate “cleanly” indeed. Not may go to terrorism. John Kerry: Some sanctions relief money \*\*will \*\*go to terrorism [http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/01/john-kerry-some-sanctions-relief-money-will-go-to-terrorism.php](http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/01/john-kerry-some-sanctions-relief-money-will-go-to-terrorism.php) and > **[John Kerry: ‘Some’ Iran nuke deal money will end up in the hands of terrorists](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/21/kerry-some-iran-nuke-deal-money-will-end-hands-ter/)** > > U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday admitted that some of the $55 billion in sanctions relief that will be released to Iran under the nuclear deal will ultimately end up in the hands of terrorists. Can I head some more applause for the Iran deal? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/604 "2018-06-14T21:03:33Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > I’m not the betting type, but I do think North Korea will change for the better and give up much of their nuclear engine and plants within the next 5-10 years. And what happens if, like _every other time this has been attempted_, North Korea doesn’t decide to abandon what it sees as an existential necessity to its continued existence? Do your beliefs update at all? > [@Velocity](#): > > The sheer tribalism of “It’s good when my side does it and bad when the other side does” is just jaw-dropping… Oh _please_ spare us. Everyone here is hoping it works. It’s just that most of us are well-aware that the odds of it working are akin to the odds that global warming is a hoax invented by the Chinese. Meanwhile, the Iran deal wasn’t perfect, but it was _working_ and considerably better than nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/605 "2018-06-14T21:05:46Z")
The Iran deal kept us verfiably safe, until Trump cancelled it. Now they are taking steps to restart their nuclear program. We were safer under Obama; Trump has made us less safe. And now he is giving away the farm to his pal Kim. We are less safe under Trump. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/606 "2018-06-14T21:08:19Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > I showed the cash the plane to Iran. Any comments now? > …[URL=“[MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/secret-obama-era-license-let-iran-tap-dollars/ar-AAyhWgQ?ocid=spartanntp)”] I have a comment. Well, more of a question. You showed the cash the plane to Iran? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/607 "2018-06-14T21:10:04Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > I showed the cash the plane to Iran. Any comments now? > > Would you like to see were a secret Obama-era license let Iran tap dollars? Read below, nice of Obama to mislead Congress… You literally don’t understand the question, so I’ll rephrase. Should North Korea gets sanctions relief, how would you like the frozen funds to be delivered to them? Cash, check, electronic transaction, or what? > [@Silver\_lining](#): > > What treaty or deal is made without a signature? The signature is not the point of a deal. The deal says that each party is responsible for doing various things. If each party carries out those things, that means the deal is being carried through. If there’s a signature but no action – like how Russia is party to the INF Treaty and is currently in violation of the treaty, but Trump is doing nothing about it, that means the treaty isn’t much of a deal. To say it another way, actions speak louder than words. > [@](#): > > Why not sign it??? Part of the calculation is that Obama haters would probably have their heads explode if the Supreme Leader and the President sat down to sign a deal together. This shows the magnanimity of President Obama: he did not want to have one-fifth of the American population spontaneously combust, thereby saving millions of lives of people who would never vote for him. Not having signatures on the JCPOA was basically a charitable, lifesaving act to those who get their opinions from Fox News. That’s the stuff of sainthood right there. > [@](#): > > And no planes full of cash or access to billions was granted. A stark contrast to the Iran deal. In that the paper they signed was meaningless, yes, that is a stark contrast to the Iran deal. > [@](#): > > How much in Billions did Iran acquire, before Trump shut it down? I’d like to know that. Who has that answer? It is easily found in the news. A few pages back I tried to explain several parts of the JCPOA which you were clearly misinformed about, but I don’t think you read it. Any person is fully capable of being well-informed on matters relating to the JCPOA; it’s just that some choose their opinions of it before understanding it. > [@](#): > > PS: You’re use of language is not clean. I debate cleanly. I ask the same in return. I demand purity of essence. I first noticed it during the physical act of love. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/608 "2018-06-14T21:13:12Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The sheer tribalism of “It’s good when my side does it and bad when the other side does” is just jaw-dropping… So when’s the last time a Democratic President agreed to suspend military exercises with South Korea? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/609 "2018-06-14T21:14:51Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > So when’s the last time a Democratic President agreed to suspend military exercises with South Korea? Well, Carter had that idea to withdraw all U.S. troops from South Korea. That was dumb. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/610 "2018-06-14T21:30:15Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Is that is, a hotel cost for travels? Really??? I’m talking about billions of dollars here like Iran received, not a hotel, travel, and meals costs. > > We’ll see how this progresses. De-nuclearization needs to happen, Trump’s not going to give them money and just hope. That was the former president’s act. Trump ended joint exercises with South Korea, gave Kim the pageantry and legitimacy he’s craved for years, and gave him personally the highest praise, all in exchange for nothing. Big win for Kim, and Kim didn’t have to give up anything at all in return. Why would Kim give up anything when Trump is giving him so much for free? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/611 "2018-06-14T21:32:06Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Is that is, a hotel cost for travels? Really??? I’m talking about billions of dollars here like Iran received, not a hotel, travel, and meals costs. I thought Iran just got their own money back (i.e. assets that were frozen)? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/612 "2018-06-14T22:23:33Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Here’s what CNN says > > [https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/03/politics/us-sends-plane-iran-400-million-cash/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/03/politics/us-sends-plane-iran-400-million-cash/index.html) $400 million? Well, that explains it. Whose bright idea was it to pay them in singles? ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/613 "2018-06-14T22:26:06Z")
I stumbled on this. > **[North Korea: There They Go Again](https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/north-korea-there-they-go-again/)** > > Evans Revere analyzes the possible rationale behind North Korea’s announcement on launching a satellite in April, arguing that the decision to launch a satellite likely was made before Kim Jong-il’s death, and that the timing of the announcement was... When NK negotiated with the Obama Administration the deal lasted 3 weeks. But that was a deal with real terms and conditions , not this high schoolish “We are going to pinkie-swear that we will be friends and not fight so much and I’ll try to pay back that money I borrowed.” Signing something that vague may hold some personal meaning for the 2 people that signed it, but there’s nothing remotely enforceable in there. The last administration made the calculation that there was a good chance NK would renege, so they were rather low key about the agreement - knowing that if they started ballyhooing their great accomplishment they might just end up having to walk it all back. Kim got his photo op and his big night on the town. But he’s still the brutal dictator of an incomprehensible country who has cast America as their archenemy for decades. The agreement is so inconsequential that Kim has nothing to lose if he decides to violate it . And he could make Trump look like the naive dotard that he is. I think it’s going to fall apart. But I think Kim may replace Putin in Trump’s affections. Because the Kims have built a system where they can force an entire country to believe the most outrageous and braggadocious lies that they can think up, and anyone that refuses to believe is imprisoned, starved and tortured for the rest of their lives along with their kids and grandkids. Plus his citizens have to literally worship his photo. And he has a young hot wife that wouldn’t dare get mad at him and refuse to show her face for 3 weeks. I think Trump’s in love. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/614 "2018-06-14T22:37:08Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But I think Kim may replace Putin in Trump’s affections. Because the Kims have built a system where they can force an entire country to believe the most outrageous and braggadocious lies that they can think up, and anyone that refuses to believe is imprisoned, starved and tortured for the rest of their lives along with their kids and grandkids. Plus his citizens have to literally worship his photo. And he has a young hot wife that wouldn’t dare get mad at him and refuse to show her face for 3 weeks. I think Trump’s in love. I think you’ve nailed it. I hate Trump like the devil, but if sucking up to this tin plated dictator will cause him to actually give up his nuclear weapons, he has done well. I think Kim will indeed renege, and Trump lie, deny, scream and jump up and down. But “giving up t he nukes” can be drawn out for years. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/615 "2018-06-14T22:39:45Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > $400 million? Well, that explains it. Whose bright idea was it to pay them in singles? I believe this was before the nuclear deal was finalized, and sanctions still in place. The US couldn’t just wire them the money because Iran didn’t have any access to western banking institutions. And [it was their money](https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/03/politics/us-sends-plane-iran-400-million-cash/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/616 "2018-06-14T22:58:34Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I think you’ve nailed it. > > I hate Trump like the devil, but if sucking up to this tin plated dictator will cause him to actually give up his nuclear weapons, he has done well. > I think Kim will indeed renege, and Trump lie, deny, scream and **jump up and down**. But “giving up t he nukes” can be drawn out for years. Like hell he will. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/617 "2018-06-15T00:10:48Z")
I mean… has North Korea even declared its nuclear weapons? How do you even inspect or verify something that hasn’t even been declared? I’m sure sometime this week Xi Jinping called up Kim Jong Un saying “See, it worked, you owe me 10 bucks.” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/618 "2018-06-15T01:51:20Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Like hell he will. > > 😃 Kim will probably wriggle out of it, but so will Trump, “I trusted Little Rocket Man! He is so untrustable!” ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/619 "2018-06-15T06:08:01Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Chisquirrel, > > There seems to be some confusion about Iran. They \*\*did not SIGN \*\*on the nuclear deal. > > Sources: > > [https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2015/11/30/state-department-iran-never-signed-nuclear-deal-which-isnt-legally-binding-n2086372](https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2015/11/30/state-department-iran-never-signed-nuclear-deal-which-isnt-legally-binding-n2086372) > > [State Department: Iran Did Not Sign Nuclear Deal | United with Israel](https://unitedwithisrael.org/state-department-iran-did-not-sign-nuclear-deal/) > > [https://hotair.com/archives/2015/11/25/oh-by-the-way-according-to-the-state-department-iran-didnt-sign-the-nuclear-deal-and-it-isnt-legally-binding/](https://hotair.com/archives/2015/11/25/oh-by-the-way-according-to-the-state-department-iran-didnt-sign-the-nuclear-deal-and-it-isnt-legally-binding/) > > How many more do you need?? > > Now, please show me any source where that says Iran signed off on the nuclear deal. I’ll read them. Don’t say its a falsehood, I showed some cards. > > Now let’s see yours. PM Me with the link please. I shall read it. > > - Silver Lining [A picture is worth a thousand words.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JCPOA_Signatures.png) Top left, minister of foreign affairs for Iran. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/620 "2018-06-15T07:43:32Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Trump ended joint exercises with South Korea, gave Kim the pageantry and legitimacy he’s craved for years, and gave him personally the highest praise, all in exchange for nothing. Big win for Kim, and Kim didn’t have to give up anything at all in return. Why would Kim give up anything when Trump is giving him so much for free? What are you talking about? Kim gave Trump lots of stuff. He told him he was very smart and very rich, and that he has very big hands, and he gave him a big beautiful letter to show off to everyone so he can prove how important he is. Not like those unfair G7 leaders who kept saying “no” to him and refused to let his friend Vladdy play with them. Or did you mean giving up things for _America_? Because Trump doesn’t care about that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829.md?page=32)