[Column] Trump’s desperation after Iran doesn’t bode well for Korea

On July 8, former US President Donald Trump boarded a catering truck in Turkey and was transported to a US military aircraft to fly back to the United States. This secretive operation, which went unnoticed for over a month, was reported by The Washington Post. Trump had been embroiled in a war against Iran since late February, declaring victory multiple times and agreeing to peace talks in mid-June.

However, Trump's decision to launch the war appeared to be a hasty one, without proper planning. He had come to the conclusion based on his belief that military action, coupled with protests against the Iranian government, could overthrow the regime and resolve the nuclear issue. Experienced advisers in the White House and the military had counseled against the war, but Trump disregarded their advice.

In the aftermath of the war, the US has shifted its focus back to economic sanctions against Iran. Iran, meanwhile, has grown proud of its resistance against America and is eager to control the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for 20% of the global crude oil shipments. Trump's attention has now turned towards the Korean Peninsula, as he seeks a diplomatic win in order to compensate for his failures in the Middle East.

However, his sudden shift towards the Korean Peninsula appears to be another impulsive move, reminiscent of his approach to the Iran war. Meanwhile, the joint military exercise between South Korea and the US, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, has been reduced at the last minute by Trump, who praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and demanded its downscaling.

Seoul has welcomed Trump's intentions to engage with North Korea, promising to act as his "pacemaker." However, they must be cautious in maintaining pace with Trump's unpredictable decision-making, as demonstrated in his recent actions. Kim Jong-un, who once sought a deal with Trump, now boasts a formidable nuclear arsenal and strong ties with Russia and China.

Given these circumstances, it remains to be seen if Trump's new strategy towards North Korea will yield any positive results.