It was a historic moment, that meeting between the leaders of North Korea and South Korea, on April 27. Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in clasped hands and stepped over the border into the other’s territory. They pledged to hold regular meetings and direct telephone conversations as they work out a deal that would finally bring peace to their countries. All of a sudden there was hope again as people wondered what could be done so that this time would be different from earlier attempts that had failed.
That meeting was supposed to pave the way for another summit, between Kim and United States President Donald Trump. This was something the world awaited, especially since the two leaders have traded insults and threats over the past few months.
Now, however, it is unclear whether the summit will push through at all. Both sides doubt the other’s good faith. Trump continues to portray the summit as his personal success, disregarding the fact that events of the previous years have been leading up to this moment.
Then again, even if the summit did push through, it would not mean peace is finally on hand. Whether or not North Korea will even agree to denuclearize is a testy issue. The help of South Korea will also be indispensable—without it, and with all these questions, a meeting will at best be a photo opportunity.
What will decide the North Korea issue will not be the tough talk and the empty boasts. Heads of state who are obsessed with their public image and who believe that developments are their individual victories will not be in a position to contemplate the long-term impact of any deals they would negotiate. Sadly, both Trump and Kim appear to be interested in boosting their own stock than in the welfare of those they should be speaking for.
The world can always hope. Peace is more attainable when cool heads prevail and when parties do not try to make the issues about themselves.