Brutal dictator Kim has sought to smooth over tensions with South Korea over fears conflict with the US could have “devastating consequences”, according to international relations expert Dr John Nilsson-Wright.
Diplomats from North and South Korea met for the first time in two years on Monday for talks about easing military hysteria between the nations.
Dr Nilsson-Wright, a senior research fellow at think tank Chatham House, has claimed Trump could be responsible for bringing both parties to the table.
“North Korea may be taking his inflammatory statements very seriously,” he said.
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“There is anxiety in US capitals about the risk of attack from North Korea and Americans are getting more serious about a military response," he added.
“Military action would have devastating consequences because it would involve major powers.
“Kim is aware that it could be catastrophic for all those involved.”
Throughout 2017, Trump, 71, issued a series of aggressive verbal volleys aimed at intimidating North Korean leader Kim into submission.
His most extraordinary remarks came at the United Nations, when he threatened North Korea with “fire and fury” in his debut speech.
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“North Korea may be taking his inflammatory statements very seriously.”
Dr Nilsson-Wright, a senior research fellow at think tank Chatham House
In a bombshell tweet last week, Trump boasted about the size of his nuclear button, declaring it “much bigger and more powerful” than Kim’s.
But in a sign tensions are de-escalating, North and South Korea held landmark talks at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) this week.
In the meeting, South Korea agreed to allow North Korea to send a team of athletes and supporters to the Winter Olympics on February 9 in PyeongChang.
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On Twitter, Trump suggested his no nonsense approach to diplomacy paved the way for talks between North and South Korea.
He posted: “With all of the failed ‘experts’ weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasn’t firm, strong and willing to commit our total ‘might’ against the North.
“Fools, but talks are a good thing,” he added.
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Dr Nilsson-Wright, a senior lecturer in Japanese Politics and International Relations at Cambridge University, hailed the breakthrough in relations as a “welcome development”.
Speaking to SunOnline, he said: “If Donald Trump thinks he’s become peace maker – let’s have more of that.”
“It’s a good thing. In order to resolve the crisis we need to have serious negotiations.
“Trump’s inflated sense of self means he often views himself as the most important person in the room.
“And as US President he is obviously one of the key players. Anything that will encourage the two sides to come together is a good thing.”