“There has been a lot of diplomatic and other activity following the summit talks between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.  Kim followed his Singapore trip up with one to China where he was warmly received by Xi Jinping who expressed that he was quite pleased with the Singapore summit.  The two leaders agreed to deepening Chinese-North Korean ties.  His meeting with Trump also seems to have bolstered his image at home where folks are complementing his "resolute" style. 

Following the summit, Kim wasted no time in making sure that the right messages were getting sent out through special meetings of the cadres while touting his immense victory against the U.S.  He also took steps to assure that everything would stay calm while he was away by tightening control over keypersonnel and faking heightened security near the borders.  However, many of the security agents are not pleased with their increased workload.  Kim is feeling more confident of his rulership and has introduced major changes to the old The Ten Articles, reducing their number to 5 along with calling for new loyalty oaths.  There is less focus on his father and grandfather in the new oath.  He is also called for the mass games to be resumed after a five-year hiatus.

In terms of practical results from the Singapore summit, analysts are mixed in their reviews.  Some feel that little was accomplished while others are saying that Trump has made major progess and others adopting a wait-and-see attitude.  The U.S. affirms that they will be giving Kim a set of deadlines for follow-up.  Meanwhile, work continues on improving the infrastructure at North Korea's Yongbyun nuclear reactor and test sites are not yet being dismantled.  There is one positive result apparent in North Korea.  That is the easing of anti-American propaganda and rallies. At the same time, the U.S. and South Korea have agreed to put all regular joint military exercises on hold while military and maritime communications lines between North and South are open again. There is also talk of modernizing the cross-border rail lines.

Ben Torrey

Director

The Fourth River Project, Inc.

www.thefourthriver.org

Pray: Let’s remember to keep praying for North Korea that Kim Jong Un and his government will implement the agreement to denuclearize their nation.
Pray: that they will open up the vast prison camps that are a death sentence to anyone who is sent into them. May these camps be closed down and may the whole nation move to real freedom for its people!