# So North Korea? WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 30, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300 "2019-06-30T14:40:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![slumtrimpet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@slumtrimpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slumtrimpet)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/61 "2019-07-01T00:11:39Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > Working with close friends is different than macromanagement of that with world leaders. So in theory and practice the same tactics may have different outcomes. No cites by the way. I’ve been done with that as they are a circle jerk of peer reviewed information pawned off by people of the same interests socio economically and politically. If one doesn’t agree it doesn’t get published. I. My experience much of the information built up is either disproven or altered over time that many sources are lost, skewed or interpreted out of context. Anyone who has written a college paper and payed attention knows this. That or you have a choice of WaPo or Fox. Vox Or Town Hall. If you post something official like facts from law enforcement or national security sources, they get discredited for being part of some vast systemic conspiracy against POC. So I do not bother with sources anymore. If there was one teeny tiny indication anywhere that The Donald was coordinating his schmoozing of the dregs of world leaders with America’s allies I might consider your opinion. There isn’t. > [@](#): > > Could you provide any cites of why Trump is bad? Obviously, how about good? Thought so. All sources follow suit in one direction. > **[Legal affairs of Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_affairs_of_Donald_Trump)** > > Legal affairs of Donald Trump may refer to: I’m sorry but the man is a shit head and has been documented as such for over 50 years. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/62 "2019-07-01T00:12:12Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > …blah blah blah bullshit ensues. > > Says the bullshit motherfucker who is, like, totally done with cites. > Fuck off, Trump supporter. Eat shit. You’re bullshit, and you’re as clever at concealing that as Trump is. Ah, this type of response is exactly why he got elected. I know you’ve heard that before. You will keep hearing it. That moral superiority and elitist political complex will only come with a fall and serve to re-elect. Great day for schadenfreude that will be. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/63 "2019-07-01T00:17:22Z")
Trump got elected because dumb fuckers have hurt feelings. Got it. I’m glad not to be on the hurt feelins moron side. Knock yourself out. Really. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/64 "2019-07-01T00:18:03Z")
> [@slumtrimpet](#): > > If there was one teeny tiny indication anywhere that The Donald was coordinating his schmoozing of the dregs of world leaders with America’s allies I might consider your opinion. There isn’t. > [Legal affairs of Donald Trump - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_affairs_of_Donald_Trump) > I’m sorry but the man is a shit head and has been documented as such for over 50 years. I know he is a shithead. More in personal aspects rather than his duties. That’s the allure. I want other countries to fear that unpredictable nature, and his rhetoric to slow that eager far-left paradigm change. That is my intention and why he got my vote. Not because he’s a dickhead mostly in his personal life and business. As long as he does the job I hired him for, or at least attempts to. I am happy. So far it’s been a mixture of both and if nothing else promising comes up or if it is Biden, Sanders or Harris against him, he is going to get my vote again. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/65 "2019-07-01T00:21:50Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Trump got elected because dumb fuckers have hurt feelings. Got it. I’m glad not to be on the hurt feelins moron side. Knock yourself out. Really. No, he got elected because people were tired of lefties (I’ll be fair; the far left that has hijacked the Democratic Party) bitching about their hurt feelings and pronouns to describe themselves, participation trophies and caring for people other than their own countrymen. Get a Democrat who doesn’t cater to this pussification and handholding the far left wants and they may get my vote. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/66 "2019-07-01T00:22:53Z")
Trump supporter: “You and I both know I’m not smart. In fact, I’m just cogent enough to have my feelings hurt. Watch me have a hurt feelings tantrum, and vote for the incompetent con man clown. That’ll teach you, and it will also prove how smart I am!” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/67 "2019-07-01T00:23:25Z")
I can’t tell if you’re just a troll or an actual horrible human being. ETA: anomalous1, not **bobot**. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/68 "2019-07-01T00:32:11Z")
Please spare me the moral virtue signalling. The United States needs to be a fair, strong and sovereign nation. Not one with citizens so hurt by words or others’ thoughts. One where people can pave their own way instead of having a nanny state carrying them everywhere and tell them what is good or bad for them. That belief makes me a horrible person? I’ll own it then, If that makes me bad I don’t want to be good. My IQ hovers around 138, Bobot. Not a genius, but not a total dolt either. Nevermind, I forget that some on your side of the aisle don’t like IQ tests because they are unfair in some magical sense. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/69 "2019-07-01T00:35:27Z")
[Tucker Carlson calls NK regime “a disgusting place” and indefensible, then offers a defense](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ZMncXmokk): > [@Tucker Carlson @ 51s](#): > > On the other hand, ya know, you’ve got to be honest about what it means to lead a country: it means killing people. Are you fucking kidding me? This is an American talking? 😕 ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/70 "2019-07-01T00:37:13Z")
Trump supporter not intimidated to throw down with an IQ number: “Trump got elected because you hurt my feelings when you called me a dumbfuck sister fuckin inbred. So take that, smartypants! MAGA!” ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/71 "2019-07-01T00:47:42Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m curious if, had Trump continued walking further in than the 20 steps he took, a lot further into North Korea (i.e., the North Korean people took him behind some building out of sight,) just how nervous the Secret Service agents waiting on the southern line of the DMZ would have been, watching their boss disappear out of view. They would probably have been _really_ worried that he might eventually come back. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/72 "2019-07-01T00:55:33Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > No If’s it is absolutely fact. Sorry can’t give you cites, that is one for personal empiricism and experience. If you want to solve a problem, learn how and do it yourself instead of being a baby and having someone else fight your battles and solve your problems for you. I wasn’t raised that way, I figured it out. > > **Being a Republican (specifically Libertarian)** I had no choice, not going to let those whom you support dissolve my country and give it away to everybody you damn well please. **I believe in personal sovereignty.** It’s delightful. Solving ones own problems is the _ONLY_ way to live. You wake up satisfied, complete and whole. Proof you never stood up to a bully. Plus being a Republican. You probably went through the pockets looking for loose change. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/73 "2019-07-01T01:17:48Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > Please spare me the moral virtue signalling. > > The United States needs to be a fair, strong and sovereign nation. > > Not one with citizens so hurt by words or others’ thoughts. One where people can pave their own way instead of having a nanny state carrying them everywhere and tell them what is good or bad for them. That belief makes me a horrible person? I’ll own it then, If that makes me bad I don’t want to be good. > > My IQ hovers around 138, Bobot. Not a genius, but not a total dolt either. > > Nevermind, I forget that some on your side of the aisle don’t like IQ tests because they are unfair in some magical sense. One, Trump’s foreign policy isn’t any more complex than to do the opposite of what Obama would do–suck up to dictators, for example–whether this makes sense or not. Trump is not playing multiple-dimensional chess. Two, are you in college and did you just read _Atlas Shrugged_? ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/74 "2019-07-01T01:24:21Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Proof you never stood up to a bully. Plus being a Republican. You probably went through the pockets looking for loose change. That’s the great thing, in The U.S. you can believe what you want, whether or not it’s true or has any precedent. I’m led to believe you are envious that someone on this board can actually defend themselves physically. That is why I am a Republican. I believe in, as said above. Personal Sovereignty. If you don’t want to get fucked with, fight. You can also believe that humanity with its evolution (What’s that? A Republican who isn’t a bible thumper!?) and superior intellect doesn’t necessarily need to resort to violence to prove a point and elected officials can echo this sentiment. This is wrong. Our primal instincts are more profound than you think. Actions speak louder than words. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/75 "2019-07-01T01:27:07Z")
Why can’t North Korea just keep Tump? ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/76 "2019-07-01T01:29:48Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Proof you never stood up to a bully. Plus being a Republican. You probably went through the pockets looking for loose change. > [@dasmoocher](#): > > One, Trump’s foreign policy isn’t any more complex than to do the opposite of what Obama would do–suck up to dictators, for example–whether this makes sense or not. Trump is not playing multiple-dimensional chess. > > Two, are you in college and did you just read _Atlas Shrugged_? 1.)No, it isn’t any more complex, it’s an approach that is different. I never said, nor would think Trump is playing multi-dimensional chess. 2.)No, about a decade past those years and I’m not one for Hedonism. Utilitarianism whenever practical is more acceptable. I don’t bite with moral relativism either. I do have some of Ayn Rand’s ‘work’ laying around amongst others, but its more satirical sci-fi than anything else. I’d say Confucianism makes more sense and is practical, even today, but that’s Eastern. Did you really want to get into the subject of philosophy or were you just making a jab with a really tired trope that all Republicans suckle the teat of Ayn Rand? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/77 "2019-07-01T01:34:20Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > I figure he wants to ask Kim how he made it past his first term and what his re-election strategy was. Do you know who the president of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is? It’s not Kim Jong-un. It’s Kim Il-sung. Trump admires those (and other) dictators and aspries to be them. Why, oh, why can’t he be exactly like Kim Il-sung is now and be a dead president forever? > [@enipla](#): > > “Got any daughters?” Actually, Kim Jong-un has at least one daughter and the one whose name is known is at least six years old. > [@bobot](#): > > Donald Trump, so-called president of the USofA, can’t get along with the leaders of Germany, the UK, Australia or our neighbors on either side, but gets along just fine (so he quite fuckin dumbly believes) with the leaders of Russia and North Korea. Brought to you by (did I mention quite fuckin dumb?) American Republicans. That’s because our allies are led by people who not only know how to govern but also expect other national leaders to know the same. They’re mistaken and Trump, _à la_ anomalous1, reacts very badly when criticized or shown to be anything other than the best. Those leaders then (again) try to do what usually works in international, heck even in interpersonal relationships. And that, of course, fails because Trump is not a normal person; he’s a sociopath. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > Yes. In addition to the points already made about Trump being determined to undo everything Obama as well as surpass Obama (I expect Trump dreams of getting two Nobel prizes), there is the always-useful “distraction” benefit of the Kim Romance story. And there is _so_ much that must be screened from view by distractions. > > Donald gets “news” he can use to keep other stuff hidden; Kim gets to improve and expand his nuclear program, without interference. > > Even-steven. I wonder what Trump’s reaction would be if someone were to tell him that he’ll never be as Black as Obama. > [@anomalous1](#): > > Keeping friends close and enemies closer. Works out well in many cases. > > If you work with your enemy, friends and others will think you are a sell-out because they are still being bullied by the same. > > They won’t get along well with this president because he is unpredictable in the eyes of other leaders, which is a fantastic characteristic since the last 3 presidents were very predictable. Everyone else forgets the past 3 licked the taints of other countries, including enemies. They got a pass. (Yes, even G.W.) Trump does it and he doesn’t. > > I wonder why that is? Just more “Orange Man Bad” nonsense. > P.S. Hello everyone. I’ve still been here in the shadows, watching. Sunshine does not do you any favor. > [@jayjay](#): > > Shoulda stayed there. Damn, **jayjay**! I had to change my comment (to the one above about sunshine) because you beat me to that! > [@anomalous1](#): > > Perhaps. I forget that dissent is not tolerated well here. But my point above still stands. May not be the best strategy but at least something is being attempted. I agree with it. You may not. Oh, get off it. There are plenty of posters here who bucks the supposedly prevailing view on a number of issues. And they are, if I may so, sometimes held in good esteem by a fair number of other active and prolific posters here. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > … they let him come back. > > Chump is “honored” to have met Kim at the border and stepped into the North. No doubt he would have been giggling like a little schoolgirl if he could have met his real hero, Adolf Hitler. Nice photo op, as much fluff as cotton candy. Anyone ask Otto Warmbier’s parents how proud they are right now. What a fucking disgrace we have as a president. It seems to me that the Warmbiers said something almost identical to your last sentence there not so long ago about Trump. And you are absolutely correct about Hitler being Trump’s real hero. One cannot say “There are good people on both sides” when one side is neo-Nazis without one being a Nazi or at least someone who adores Nazis, especially the ultimate Nazi. > [@anomalous1](#): > > Let me come back? Your reading comprehension is pathetic. **Siam Sam** was referring to North Korea letting your hero, Trump, come back from North Korea. > [@anomalous1](#): > > No. I’ve not been banned. Banned and posting as a sock. Suspended and posting as a sock. To-may-to, to-mah-to. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. > [@](#): > > I see you are still comparing everything to Nazism though, at least that stayed the same too. Funny thing about Nazis and Nazi-supporters. When you compare something else or someone else to them, then you are stuck with comparing those things or those people to Nazis. Logic is funny that way. Too bad you don’t know what logic is. > [@anomalous1](#): > > Have you been watching those debates? Talk about shooting each other in the foot. Incumbent is a much better choice. Although I technically wouldn’t mind as much if Warren won. She still actually supports capitalism, not as racially motivated has more sense. Not as contrived as Harris or Biden or that sideshow Sanders. On what do you base your assertions? And how can you seriously suggest that the man who proudly told the world that he was intentionally lying to the courts in an effort to get them to allow him to do what he obviously knew was unconstitutional (which, by the way, is impressive since his knowledge of the constitution zeroes in on zero)? > [@anomalous1](#): > > By what definition do you post opinions. Are your opinions somehow inherently better than mine? Cites excluded and everything else the same, no. They are not. You’re a generic bandwagon - fair weather poster anyway so I’ll take a huge nugget of salt. This is actually quite hilarious. I’m already having a rough Monday so your comment here is substituing for the funny papers. Your assertions are citation-free and you think that simply ignoring other people’s assertions’ cites makes their opinions identical in caliber to yours. That’s a hoot. You are operating under a mistaken view of opinions. Yes, everyone does have a right to an opinion. That does not mean, in any way, shape, or form, that one’s opinion has a right to be treated automatically as having any worth. A well-informed and well-supported opinion actually does have worth. An asinine and ill-informed opinion is just that: asinine. > [@anomalous1](#): > > Ah, this type of response is exactly why he got elected. I know you’ve heard that before. You will keep hearing it. Exactly wrong. Trump got elected because of an antiquated and clumsy system is still in use by the United States for only two elected offices. The majority of voters voted for his opponent. Ms. Clinton got [millions](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/million) more votes than your Nazi-supporting hero. > [@anomalous1](#): > > That moral superiority and elitist political complex will only come with a fall and serve to re-elect. Great day for schadenfreude that will be. Yep. You’re delusional. > [@anomalous1](#): > > I know he is a shithead. More in personal aspects rather than his duties. > > That’s the allure. I want other countries to fear that unpredictable nature, and his rhetoric to slow that eager far-left paradigm change. That is my intention and why he got my vote. Not because he’s a dickhead mostly in his personal life and business. As long as he does the job I hired him for, or at least attempts to. I am happy. So far it’s been a mixture of both and if nothing else promising comes up or if it is Biden, Sanders or Harris against him, he is going to get my vote again. You are ascribing something to Trump that he lacks: capability of long-term planning and consistency. All the evidence to date is he is incapable of either. > [@jayjay](#): > > I can’t tell if you’re just a troll or an actual horrible human being. > > ETA: anomalous1, not **bobot**. He can be both. > [@anomalous1](#): > > Please spare me the moral virtue signalling. > > The United States needs to be a fair, strong and sovereign nation. > > Not one with citizens so hurt by words or others’ thoughts. One where people can pave their own way instead of having a nanny state carrying them everywhere and tell them what is good or bad for them. That belief makes me a horrible person? I’ll own it then, If that makes me bad I don’t want to be good. > > My IQ hovers around 138, Bobot. Not a genius, but not a total dolt either. > > Nevermind, I forget that some on your side of the aisle don’t like IQ tests because they are unfair in some magical sense. IQ tests are not unfair in “some magical sense”. They are demonstrably unfair in an empirical sense. The only people I’ve seen asserting otherwise are those who fall into the category of “scientific racists”. Are you really sure you want to be counted in that group? Oops. Silly me. You’re already proud to support Nazis. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [Tucker Carlson calls NK regime “a disgusting place” and indefensible, then offers a defense](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ZMncXmokk): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by Tucker Carlson @ 51s > > On the other hand, ya know, you’ve got to be honest about what it means to lead a country: it means killing people. > > Are you fucking kidding me? This is an American talking? 😕 Yep. That shows Trump, by his flacks’ definition, is a national leader. He’s been killing people. Welcome to America! MAGA! Make America Ghastly Again! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/78 "2019-07-01T01:36:43Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > That’s the great thing, in The U.S. you can believe what you want, whether or not it’s true or has any precedent. See my comment above about opinions and support thereof, you fucking moron. And, why, yes, I do expect many other posters here to roundly and even soundly mock me for calling you a fucking moron. Want to know why? It’s because the evidence (your posts) show you to be a moron. There is nothing to show you are actually fucking. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/79 "2019-07-01T01:38:02Z")
Kim gave Trump a photo op moment; he’s hoping to get something in return. Perhaps he’s seen how Trump beat back Bolton and Pompeo in his handling of Iran and senses a potential opening there. If he can get Trump to agree to lift or suspend some sanctions then he might be willing to continue the pause in his weapons program. I suspect that there’s a game of triangulation that’s more sophisticated than what we’re seeing in the news. By that I mean I’m wondering whether China, Russia, and others are ignoring sanctions just enough to help Kim’s regime feel a little less pressure. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300/80 "2019-07-01T01:43:24Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Kim gave Trump a photo op moment; he’s hoping to get something in return. Perhaps he’s seen how Trump beat back Bolton and Pompeo in his handling of Iran and senses a potential opening there. If he can get Trump to agree to lift or suspend some sanctions then he might be willing to continue the pause in his weapons program. > > I suspect that there’s a game of triangulation that’s more sophisticated than what we’re seeing in the news. By that I mean I’m wondering whether China, Russia, and others are ignoring sanctions just enough to help Kim’s regime feel a little less pressure. I think another poster hit upon it when they mentioned diplomatic recognition. If the United States were to extend such to the DPRK, then the ROK would have to follow suit. Trump sees only what he wants to see and what he wants to see in the leader of North Korea is someone who inherited his position in life and has people fawning all over him wherever he goes. To Trump that is success. The only way Trump is going to give any governmental gift of substance to North Korea without congress blocking it is to extend diplomatic recognition. Kim Jong-il likely knows this and is manipulating Trump, under the advice and tutelage of Xi Jinping. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-north-korea-wtf/836300.md?page=5)