{
  "id": 8023959,
  "title": "A new Trump-Kim summit would be a nightmare for everyone but Pyongyang",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/a-new-trump-kim-summit-would-be-a-nightmare-for-everyone-but-pyongyang",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T12:30:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3367471/new-trump-kim-summit-would-be-nightmare-everyone-pyongyang"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A potential Trump-Kim summit poses significant peril, not just for North Korea, but for the entire region, according to a report. US President Donald Trump is actively seeking a bilateral meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the coming months. To accomplish this, Trump seems ready to undermine the US-South Korea alliance and sideline Beijing, Seoul, Moscow, and Tokyo. Denuclearisation is not expected to be a topic of discussion at any future summit, as Trump seeks an outcome that safeguards US security interests while granting Kim recognition as a nuclear state and relief from sanctions. The challenge lies in crafting a mutually beneficial agreement, but it may come at a heavy cost for South Korea and Japan. These nations, with their easy targets for North Korean short and intermediate-range missiles, could suffer severe collateral damage. Regardless of their official statements, Trump's deal would leave Seoul and Tokyo vulnerable to future negotiations over cost-sharing with the US. Seoul and Tokyo might retaliate by developing their own nuclear weapons, with a recent Gallup Korea poll showing that nearly two-thirds of South Koreans support this move. Japan, too, is preparing legislation for a possible referendum on revising its constitution to allow nuclear weapons. This could lead to an alarming growth in the number of nuclear powers, potentially changing the international landscape to include 11 or 12 nuclear states. The article argues that the most significant danger to international arms control stems from a deal between Trump and Kim, highlighting the grave implications for northeast Asia and the world.",
  "summary": "It is clear that US President Donald Trump is pushing hard for a fresh summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the coming months. To achieve that, he appears prepared to downgrade and jeopardise the US-South Korea alliance, as seen in his recent move to scale back joint military exercises. For Trump, this will be a purely bilateral exercise, with both Seoul and Beijing totally sidelined,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Trump seeks bilateral meeting with Kim Jong-un, potentially undermining US-South Korea alliance.",
    "Denuclearisation unlikely to be discussed, aiming for US security and recognition of nuclear state.",
    "Seoul and Tokyo may develop nuclear weapons, risking a nuclear power increase in northeast Asia."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}