Former President Donald Trump said Saturday that Americas bold step to begin a direct dialogue with Pyongyang has opened the door to the reunification of North and South Korea and paved the way for a more peaceful world in the 21st century.
Joined online by current and former heads of state and other prominent international figures for a major virtual rally, Mr. Trump offered an optimistic call for unity and newfound cooperation around the world and for permanent denuclearization of North Korea, which has been a longstanding policy goal of both the U.S. and its unwavering regional friend and ally, South Korea.
In one of his highest-profile public appearances since leaving office in January, he stressed there is no substitute for strong, creative, determined leadership from Washington.
I truly believe that an extraordinary future awaits the people of North Korea and I have faith that if they pursue the path of denuclearization, they will make that future a magnificent reality, Mr. Trump said at the digital Rally of Hope event.
Until that blessed day comes, the indispensable force for peace on the Korean peninsula remains a strong America. As we have seen recently in other parts of the world, weakness only invites more violence and chaos.
The true task for all of us who pray for peace on the Korean peninsula is to ensure that our nations are not only great in power and rich in wealth but even more, we must be strong in spirit. Every nation must summon the will to protect its citizens, its allies, and to leave a better world for its children, Mr. Trump said. These are the forces and values that inspire change, that move countries, that make history, and that ultimately lead to peace.
The rally, organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the seventh such event since August 2020, drew participants from across the globe, all united in the fight against oppression, poverty and racial discrimination. Saturday evenings event was part of UPFs Think Tank 2022 Rally of Hope initiative, designed to bring together prominent figures from across the world and across all sectors of society to examine all aspects of the unification of North and South Korea, organizers said.
In addition to Mr. Trump, other speakers at Saturday nights event included: Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia; Jos Manuel Barroso, former president of the European Commission; Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former president of The Philippines; H.D. Deve Gowda, former Indian prime minister; Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmon, former president of Trinidad and Tobago; Natasa Micic, former Serbian president; and others.
Beyond the reunification of North and South Korea, speakers also addressed key regional issues, including Chinese aggression toward Taiwan and the Chinese Communst Partys broader effort to exert influence over the Pacific region.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for Japan, the U.S., South Korea and other stakeholders to come together as one and face that challenge head-on.
The need for more solidarity between countries that share the values of freedom and democracy such as Japan, the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea is more pressing than ever, he said.
We will need passionate leaders if we are to achieve solidarity between countries sharing freedom and democracy, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and achieve peaceful reunification on the Korean peninsula. These Rallies of Hope will give us much strength, he said. Of that I am confident.
On Afghanistan, where the militant Taliban recently recaptured the country after the withdrawal of all U.S. troops, some world leaders called for international cooperation but also for an understanding that local populations are often best positioned to offer solutions.
Other countries cannot transplant political values and systems upon any country, as these fundamentals need to be indigenously developed corresponding to the political, economic, social and cultural contexts of each individual country, said Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia.
Kept the promise
In her own remarks Saturday, UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon said todays generation is poised to see history made on the Korean peninsula.
Throughout human society, you have been specially chosen by heaven with regards to the heavenly unified Korea and the realization of world peace, she said. There is a profound meaning. You need to understand that heaven is working with you.
Mrs. Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, and her late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, devoted their lives to the reunification of the Korean peninsula and to the promotion of world peace.
Reuniting Korea is a key pillar of the Unification movement that grew from the Unification Church that Rev. Moon founded in 1954. Mrs. Moon has led the movement since a few years before the 2012 death of Rev. Moon, whose ministry grew from a tiny, embattled church in South Korea to a global spiritual movement and an affiliated commercial empire comprising real estate, manufacturing and agricultural operations, as well as media properties including The Washington Times.
The goal of truly changing the dynamic on the Korean peninsula seemed closer than ever during Mr. Trumps time in office.
Perhaps more than any other U.S. official in recent history, Mr. Trump spent time and expended political capital in a personal effort to break the stalemate of division between North and South Korea.
While past presidents have pursued policies of isolation toward Pyongyang, Mr. Trump met face-to-face with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Their first meeting in Singapore in 2018 sparked the hope that the two nations could strike a long-awaited denuclearization deal, which proponents say would be a key step in the broader push toward reunification.
Mr. Trump held a second meeting with Mr. Kim in Vietnam, and in 2019 the two men met at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. The Trump administration pushed for a deal in which Pyongyang would have agreed to permanent and verifiable abandonment of its nuclear-weapons program in exchange for relief from crushing economic sanctions and millions of dollars of outside investment from around the world.
While such a deal did not materialize, Mr. Trump said its clear the outreach still paid major dividends. Most notably, he said, the North Korean leader has at least temporarily given up nuclear-weapons launches and other major weapons testing.
Although it became clear in our second summit in Hanoi that North Korea was not yet ready to make a deal, I remain full of hope for the future, Mr. Trump said. To this day, Chairman Kim has kept the promise he made to me in Singapore, that there would be no more long-range missile launches or nuclear weapons testing I hope that continues.
North Korea conducted several smaller-scale weapons tests early in President Bidens tenure. The U.S.-North Korean dynamic has remained frosty during the first nine months of the Biden presidency and its unclear exactly how the Biden administration will approach Pyongyang over the next several years.
More:
Trump: 'Magnificent reality' of denuclearized Korea within reach - Washington Times
- Trump Pushes Immigration Conspiracy Theories and Mass Deportations - The New York Times - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley makes surprise appearance on SNL, mocking Donald Trump and Joe Biden - NPR - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Trump feud with UAW reaches fever pitch - The Hill - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump tightens his grip on GOP, bolsters ties with Mike Johnson - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- 1/31/24 - 2024 Matchups: Biden Opens Up Lead Over Trump In Head-To-Head, Quinnipiac University National Poll ... - Quinnipiac University Poll - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Here's how 2 sentences in the Constitution rose from obscurity to ensnare Donald Trump - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump floats tariff of more than 60% on imports from China and denies it would start a trade war - Fortune - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Jeffries on House Republicans: Wholly owned subsidiaries of Donald Trump - The Hill - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Ex-DOJ Official Says He's 'Now At The Freakout Stage' Over 1 Donald Trump Case - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley to GOP: Let's wait to see if Donald Trump is convicted - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Why Supreme Court appeal will be no 'open mic night' for Donald Trump - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley hits Donald Trump during 'SNL' sketch ahead of SC primary - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump's legal fees are draining his campaign funds - The Economist - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump Mentions These Names When Asked About Vice Presidential Picks - NDTV - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Trump's lead over Biden may be smaller than it looks - The Economist - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Tory rising star described Donald Trump as 'refreshing' - The Independent - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Joe Biden v Donald Trump - where contest will be won and lost - BBC.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump's fed trial on election interference postponed from March - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Inside Trump's growing influence over congressional Republicans - POLITICO - POLITICO - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Federal judge postpones Trump's March 4 election interference trial - NPR - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Trump Says He Would Not Reappoint Powell as Fed Chair if Elected - Bloomberg - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- I Prosecuted Donald Trump and Won. Here's How It's Done. - The Daily Beast - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump Loses London Case Against Ex-MI6 Spy Over Kremlin Dossier - Bloomberg - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- After Speedy Start, Appeals Court Slows Down on Trump Immunity Decision - The New York Times - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump and UAW President Shawn Fain exchange barbs: 'Get rid of this dope' - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Donald Trump dispels rumors that he reached out to RFK Jr for VP: Never happened - Fox News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- How Donald Trump Got Disqualified From The Ballot And His Entire Candidacy Wound Up Before The Supreme Court - HuffPost - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Trump Says Nikki Haley Is Unlikely to Be His Running Mate - The New York Times - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump Goes From Calm To Indignant In Newly Released Deposition Video Of Civil Fraud Lawsuit - HuffPost - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Trump: Haley 'probably ... is not going to be chosen as the vice president' - POLITICO - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Trump returns to New Hampshire as primary nears - The Washington Post - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Boris Johnson: Trump's return could be 'big win for the world' - POLITICO Europe - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Zelenskyy invites Trump to Kyiv POLITICO - POLITICO Europe - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- 'New Hampshire Is Close to a Make-or-Break for Keeping the Nomination Out of Donald Trump's Hands.' - POLITICO - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Trump's pitch in New Hampshire is more about Nikki Haley as he hopes for big win - NPR - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump's tax cuts would add to American growthand debt - The Economist - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump's populism is turning off corporate donors - The Economist - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Why DeSantis Says Trump's Romp in Iowa Is Actually a Sign of His Weakness - The New York Times - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- The GOP Is Already Clashing Over Trump's VP Pick - POLITICO - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- There is still a way to stop Donald Trump but time is running out - The Guardian - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- The Davos Consensus: Donald Trump Will Win Re-Election - The New York Times - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Maine Secretary of State to Appeal Ruling on Her Decision to Exclude Trump From Ballot - The New York Times - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Vice President Harris says she's 'scared as heck' that Donald Trump could win - The Associated Press - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- What is the point of coming second to Donald Trump? - The Economist - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Thousands Sign Christian Petition Urging Bishops Not to Back Donald Trump - Newsweek - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Why Donald Trump Is Facing E. Jean Carroll in Court a Second Time - The New York Times - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump Claims He Will Never Allow Creation of CBDC in the US if Reelected - Yahoo Finance - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Keller @ Large: What Donald Trump's win in Iowa means for the presidential race - CBS Boston - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump tries to twist felony charges, lawsuits after Iowa win - USA TODAY - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump Just Incriminated Himself on Truth Social: Legal Analyst - Newsweek - January 20th, 2024 [January 20th, 2024]
- Putin 'Actively Hoping' to Get Donald Trump Back as President: Ret. General - Newsweek - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Trump Loses Bid to Put E. Jean Carroll Defamation Trial on Hold - The Daily Beast - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Donald Trump denies he 'bullied' his way into 'Home Alone 2' movie - USA TODAY - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Donald Trump: Producers Were 'Begging Me' to Be in Home Alone 2 - Yahoo Entertainment - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Election: How Donald Trump ends 2023 with polling lead on DeSantis - Palm Beach Post - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Trump Ballot Challenges: What to Know - The New York Times - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Donald Trump criticizes Gov. Mike DeWine over House Bill 68 veto - The Columbus Dispatch - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Would Keeping Trump Off the Ballot Hurt or Help Democracy? - The New York Times - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Opinion | Debbie Dingell: Why Standing Up to Trump Is Worth the Pain - The New York Times - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Donald Trump's Amazing Year - 2024 Election - Newsweek - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Petition calls for Hollywood to remove Donald Trump's star on the Walk of Fame - CBS News - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Opinion | The Supreme Court and Donald Trump - The New York Times - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Colorado, Maine, other states trying to block Donald Trump from the ballot. Here's what happens next - USA TODAY - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Lawyers' Amicus Brief Adds New Wrinkle to Donald Trump's Immunity Appeal - Newsweek - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Will Donald Trump go to trial in 2024? Will his support hold? Questions the former president faces next year - USA TODAY - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Donald Trump currently slated to appear on Colorado ballots - FOX 31 Denver - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- The Year We Stopped Being Able to Pretend About Trump - The New Yorker - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Election law expert on legal and political questions as states block Trump from ballot - PBS NewsHour - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- What Donald Trump's Presidency Meant for Your Wallet And How It Could Change If He Wins Again - Yahoo Finance - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Vivek Ramaswamay Hits Maine After Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Boots Donald Trump From Its Ballot - The Daily Beast - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Donald Trump falls off Forbes 400 richest Americans list amid fraud trial over inflated net worth - New York Daily News - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Donald Trump wants future Republican debates to be canceled after refusing to participate in them - Yahoo News - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Trump Boys Can't Recall a Thing - Vanity Fair - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Donald Trump business fraud trial began Monday in New York - NPR - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Sam Bankman-Fried Wanted to Pay Donald Trump Not to Run for ... - Vanity Fair - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Donald Trump Says Shoplifters Should be Shot, but Does He Know Who Most Shoplifters Are? - Yahoo News - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Opinion | Donald Trumps Campaign of Violence and Lawlessness - The New York Times - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Donald Trump is a coward for not debating tonight - The Hill - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- N.H. attorney general 'carefully reviewing' arguments that could keep Trump off state's ballot - POLITICO - August 30th, 2023 [August 30th, 2023]
- Mark Meadows news: The defense of Trump's perfect phone call is really something. - Slate - August 30th, 2023 [August 30th, 2023]