SEOUL — President Trump touched down in South Korea on Tuesday, prepared to push leaders here and elsewhere in Asia to take a harder line toward North Korea and its nuclear weapons.
Before leaving Japan, the first stop in his five-nation tour of Asia, Trump said he looked forward to talking to South Korea President Moon Jae-in about ways to force his northern neighbor to give up nukes.
"We will figure it all out," Trump said on Twitter, describing Moon as "a fine gentleman."
Moon and his aides, however, have expressed discomfort with Trump`s aggressive rhetoric toward Kim Jong Un, including presidential threats to destroy North Korea if its "Rocket Man" leader attacks the U. or its allies.
As Trump headed toward Seoul, South Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said all officials need to be careful with any talk that smacks of war.
More: With North Korea threat looming, Trump seeks $5.9 billion for military
More: Trump visits Seoul, where `fire and fury` comments on North Korea inflame protesters
"Another war on the Korean Peninsula must not happen," Kang told NBC News. "A resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue must be pursued in a peaceful, diplomatic manner."
Moon and his government have advocated a more diplomatic approach based on multi-lateral talks with North Korea.
Trump picked Seoul as the site for a major part of his Asia trip, a Wednesday speech to the South Korea National Assembly on his efforts to forge a regional coalition to oppose North Korea.
The American president arrived in South Korea bearing a gift: A new request to Congress for military spending that includes $4 billion for a missile defense and detection system on the Korean peninsula.
Moon and other South Korean officials have been leery of an American-backed missile defense system, in part because of objections from China. The Chinese say a missile defense system could be used as an offensive system against them.
Trump wants countries in the region to pressure Kim over his weapons, the major theme of his upcoming speech to the South Korea National Assembly. He is emphasizing China, North Korea`s neighbor and largest economic patron.
As part of his Asia tour, the president will visit Beijing later this week to speak with President Xi Jinping about North Korea and other issues.
The trip also will take Trump to economic conferences in Vietnam and the Philippines. Trump is speak to Asian leaders about possible plans to change trade laws with the United States.
After landing in South Korea, Trump planned to head to Camp Humphreys, a joint American-Korean military base near Seoul. The president, who will have lunch with American and Korean troops and receive a military briefing, plans to spotlight the camp as an example of cooperation and burden-sharing between the U. and its allies.
The president and first lady Melania Trump then head to Seoul for a welcoming ceremony at Moon`s official residence, known as the "Blue House." Trump has meetings, a state dinner, and a news conference with Moon.
North Korea`s state-run media denounced Trump as he made his way through Asia, and warned other countries — read: South Korea — not to cooperate with him.
“Nobody can predict when Trump does a reckless act," one state-run newspaper said. "The only and one way for checking his rash act is to tame him with absolute physical power. We warn Trump`s coteries once again. If they want to get rid of ruin, do not make reckless remarks.”
Follow David Jackson on Twitter: @djusatoday
Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2AgU4ZQ.
Dramelin
DeveloperCras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum faucibus dolor auctor.
0 comments:
Post a Comment