Trump, Kim, 'Photo-op diplomacy' and the march to an uneasy status quo

Trump and Kim shake hands at just concluded summit in Hanoi

The latest summit between leaders of the United States and North Korea, which ended abruptly on the 28th of February 2019 without a signed agreement, is put in perspective.

The reason for the abrupt end of the Hanoi summit was explained by none other than Donald Trump and his Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Apparently Chairman Kim and his country wanted all sanctions lifted in exchange for dismantling only a part of their nuclear program.

The North Korean leader's position in and of itself, is perhaps not surprising to any keen observer of world affairs. What is worth contemplating however, is what summits which amount to little more than a photo opportunity, mean for the furtherance of peaceful coexistence between North Korea, its neighbours and the world at large.

'Photo-op diplomacy' has just put history on notice.

 Every photo opportunity increases Chairman Kim's stature on the world stage. followed from this is the likely 'incremental acceptance' that he will never get rid of his nuclear weapons in their entirety.