Multiple Meanings

Words have multiple meanings and their essence depends on the person saying it. Such is the case with “denuclearization” and North Korea.  Experts have already said that what Kim means by the word and what President Trump understands are far apart. Any summit meeting between the two would have to come to an agreement as to the time and action of getting rid of nuclear bombs and inspections necessary to insure North Korea is abiding by the agreement. North Korea might insist on the removal of American troops from the Korean peninsula and cessation of war games that the North sees as advance training for an invasion. It is hard to see Trump agreeing to that. The implications of the word are many and fraught, especially since the North has not always honored agreements. Among specialists there is little hope for a summit or for successful negotiation. Surprises happen, but it might not be this time.