President Trump warned North Korea’s Kim Jong Un against underestimating U.S. resolve while calling for denuclearization and international unity against North Korean aggression during his speech in South Korea. He highlighted the failures of past agreements and urged efforts to isolate North Korea globally, contrasting its regime with prosperous South Korea.
On November 7, 2017, President Donald J. Trump delivered a significant address in Seoul, South Korea, cautioning North Korean leader Kim Jong Un not to underestimate the resolve and capabilities of the United States and its allies. He reaffirmed America’s commitment to cooperate with South Korea in opposing North Korea’s escalating nuclear ambitions and missile tests.
During his address, Trump highlighted North Korea’s persistent defiance of international agreements regarding its nuclear program. He pointed out that despite assurances made since 1994 to freeze its plutonium program and later commitments in 2005, North Korea continued to pursue its nuclear arsenal unabated. This trend has included hostile actions such as the sinking of a South Korean ship in 2009 and ongoing missile tests.
Trump underscored that North Korea misinterpreted America’s previous restraint as weakness, warning, “This would be a fatal miscalculation.” He emphasized the importance of unity among civilized nations in defending shared values and security against threats posed by the North Korean regime, which he characterized as a line between opposing forces of peace and tyranny.
Stating that the United States would not tolerate blackmail or threats against its cities, Trump called for strength and resolve. He indicated that diplomatic efforts must be amplified, urging both Russia and China to isolate North Korea by observing U.N. Security Council resolutions and cutting diplomatic and trade relations. He proposed this unified effort as essential for global safety, remarking, “Because the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows.”
Directly addressing Kim Jong Un, Trump insisted that North Korea’s ongoing nuclear pursuits would only lead to greater peril for the regime. He advocated for denuclearization, suggesting that abandoning hostile intentions could pave the way for a better future for North Koreans.
In contrast, Trump praised South Korea for its remarkable transformation into a prosperous, vibrant democracy, acknowledging the hard work and resilience of its people. He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to acting in defense of its allies and their sovereignty, emphasizing respect for human dignity and the readiness to counter tyranny.
In summary, President Trump’s address underscored the critical need for unity among nations to deter North Korea’s nuclear ambitions while highlighting the contrasting progress of South Korea. By appealing to the international community for cooperation, Trump emphasized the importance of strength in policy and the inevitability of confronting threats to global security and peace.
Original Source: www.pacom.mil
