Trump Predicts North Korea Will Become Economic 'Rocket' Under 'Capable' Kim Jong Un
President Trump on Friday tweeted about North Korea.
President Trump on Friday asserted that North Korea will become an economic "rocket," likely a reference to the nickname, "Little Rocket Man," that he started using for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2017.
"North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, will become a great Economic Powerhouse," Trump tweeted. "He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is. North Korea will become a different kind of Rocket - an Economic one!"
In another tweet, Trump shared details about the upcoming summit between the two leaders.
"My representatives have just left North Korea after a very productive meeting and an agreed upon time and date for the second Summit with Kim Jong Un. It will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27 & 28. I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim & advancing the cause of peace!" Trump wrote.
The New York Times notes: "Mr. Trump has sought to convince Mr. Kim that giving up his nuclear weapons would enable him to transform his impoverished land into a thriving country."
However, few see this as a plausible scenario currently. Even Trump's intelligence officials have expressed skepticism about North Korea's potential denuclearization.
"We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its [weapons of mass destruction] capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival," National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said at a recent hearing.
President Trump on Friday asserted that North Korea will become an economic "rocket," likely a reference to the nickname, "Little Rocket Man," that he started using for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2017.
"North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, will become a great Economic Powerhouse," Trump tweeted. "He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is. North Korea will become a different kind of Rocket - an Economic one!"
In another tweet, Trump shared details about the upcoming summit between the two leaders.
"My representatives have just left North Korea after a very productive meeting and an agreed upon time and date for the second Summit with Kim Jong Un. It will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27 & 28. I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim & advancing the cause of peace!" Trump wrote.
The New York Times notes: "Mr. Trump has sought to convince Mr. Kim that giving up his nuclear weapons would enable him to transform his impoverished land into a thriving country."
However, few see this as a plausible scenario currently. Even Trump's intelligence officials have expressed skepticism about North Korea's potential denuclearization.
"We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its [weapons of mass destruction] capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival," National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said at a recent hearing.