US President Donald Trump said in an interview to a news agency on Thursday, April 27, that a "major conflict" with North Korea is "absolutely" possible in the near future. However, he also refrained from outright criticism of Kim Jong-un, the dictatorial leader of North Korea who has threatened the US several times with dire consequences.
Trump's statement on conflict with North Korea has once again raised the bogey of an impending World War III — a topic that is being discussed hotly and also memefied on social media.
Trump's posturing
Trump, in the interview, said: "There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely." The threat came even as tensions escalated between the US and North Korea, with Trump positioning the THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea as a counter-measure for any North Korean aggression.
Trump, however, also said that he would like it very much if a diplomatic solution to the tensions was sought and arrived at. "We'd love to solve things diplomatically but it's very difficult," he said in the interview. Then again, given that the US has already stationed an aircraft carrier in Korean waters, his efforts for a solution to talks may seem like gunboat diplomacy in more ways than one.
Praise for Xi Jinping
Trump, in the interview, also lavished praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying: "I believe he is trying very hard. He certainly doesn't want to see turmoil and death. He doesn't want to see it. He is a good man. He is a very good man and I got to know him very well. With that being said, he loves China and he loves the people of China. I know he would like to be able to do something, perhaps it's possible that he can't."
While precious little can be gleaned from that statement — as is true with many of Trump's speeches — what can be assumed is that Trump has paid heed to the man who reportedly got him to change his mind over attacking North Korea outright.
Comments on Kim Jong-un
However, the part of the interview that has surprised many is where Trump went on to have softer views on Kim Jong-un, the dictator who rules North Korea along the lines of his grandfather Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Trump said of Kim: "He's 27 years old. His father dies, took over a regime. So say what you want but that is not easy, especially at that age."
The US President went on to add: "I'm not giving him credit or not giving him credit, I'm just saying that's a very hard thing to do. As to whether or not he's rational, I have no opinion on it. I hope he's rational."
