President Donald Trump spoke at the South Korean National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday, and he delivered a direct and potent speech about the United States’ intentions on the Korean Peninsula. At times his speech was seemingly directed at North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, and Trump did not mince his words.
While condemning North Korea for the oppression of its people – what Trump called “a hell that no person deserves” – he also warned against North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons that would threaten the United States.
“Do not underestimate us. Do not try us,” Trump said. “The world cannot tolerate the menace of a rogue regime that threatens with nuclear devastation.”
“The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in great danger,” the President pointed out.
President Trump also pointed out the stark differences between life in South Korea versus North Korea – a “miracle” nation of free people (South Korea) to a “prison state” with forced labor, torture and poverty (North Korea).
“We are ready to offer a path to a much better future,” Trump said.
While he took a diplomatic tone, the President did point out the United States’ power on the Korean Peninsula – including the three carrier strike groups that are drilling together for the first time in a decade and are “loaded to the max” with F-35 and F-18 fighter jets, plus a nuclear submarine stationed nearby.
“We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction,” Trump said.
Trump also said that all nations should “sever all ties” with North Korea, and that “enabling” North Korea means “the weight of this crisis is on your conscience.”
The President also took to Twitter on Tuesday night following his speech, and he reiterated his sentiments.
“The North Korean regime has pursued its nuclear & ballistic missile programs in defiance of every assurance, agreement, & commitment it has made to the U.S. and its allies,” he wrote. “It’s broken all of those commitments…”
Donald Trump (Twitter)
“Anyone who doubts the strength or determination of the U.S. should look to our past… and you will doubt it no longer,” he continued.”
Donald Trump (Twitter)
“Together, we dream of a Korea that is free, a peninsula that is safe, and families that are reunited once again,” he added.
Donald Trump (Twitter)
Trump’s stop in South Korea is part of his 12-day Asia tour.
The aircraft carriers drilling together comes as a huge show of force during a time when tensions continue to run high with North Korea.
President Trump has hinted that the U.S. Military would take care of any situation on the Korean Peninsula, if it were to come to that; meanwhile, North Korea continues to threaten the United States with talks of launching another ICBM and continuing to develop its missile programs.
Trump in South Korea on Tuesday said that North Korea should “make a deal.”
“It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and for the world,” Trump said during a press conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. “I do see certain movement.”
He’s seen “a lot of progress” in dealing with North Korea, Trump added. He also pointed out the three aircraft carrier groups and nuclear submarine that are deployed to the region and said “we hope to God we never have to use” them.
