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DMZ Summit May Ease Some Tensions, But Underlying Issues Remain

Dong Hyuk Lee

   President Donald Trump made history Sunday by becoming the first
   sitting U.S. president to set foot on North Korean soil. But the way
   the summit came about was no less significant.

   Trump's visit to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South
   Korea had been planned for some time with Seoul's assistance. But
   according to public remarks by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong
   Un, Trump's offer and Kim's acceptance of the meeting both came at a
   moment's notice.

   The unexpected summit was a clear demonstration of growing
   rapprochement between the two leaders. However, it remains unclear
   whether the warming ties between the two will lead to improved
   relations between their countries. The future of U.S.-North Korea
   relations is likely to depend on whether the sides can resolve the
   nuclear issue diplomatically.

   Revival of diplomacy
   Since the failed Hanoi summit in February, Washington and Seoul have
   been seeking ways to revive diplomacy with North Korea, and many
   experts saw Trump's visit to South Korea as the last best chance to
   salvage the process. The two allies appear to have accomplished that
   mission with North Korea's commitment, according to Trump, to resume
   talks "over the next two or three weeks."