Donald Trump fears uncertain North Korea peace may end after Winter Olympics
GETTY Trump is unsure of peace after the Olympics as tensions continue to rise on the Korean peninsula
President Trump has stressed that the Olympics could help resolve the threats of nuclear war, despite Kim Jong-un continuing to develop his nuclear arsenal. The Winter Olympics begin in PyeongChang, South Korea on Friday 9 February. Mr Trump said: “It’s a very tricky situation. We’re going to find out how it goes. “We think the Olympics will go very nicely and after that, who knows?” The President went on to add: “We ran out of road.
“We have no road left. So we’ll see what happens but in the meantime, we’ll get through the Olympics and maybe something good can come out of the Olympics.” In January the hermit state resumed talks with South Korea, a move that North Korea’s state media hailed as a path to reunification. The US and South Korea have halted their military exercises around the Korean peninsula as the Winter Olympics approach. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said: “We will make every effort to improve inter-Korean relations in future, too, but never sit idle with regard to sinister acts of throwing a wet blanket over our efforts”
The secret to peace with North Korea? Kim Jong-un's world famous CHEERLEADERS Mon, January 8, 2018 North Korea will send athletes and cheerleaders to the Winter Olympics in South Korea Play slideshow Alamy Stock Photo 1 of 12 A mass of dancers dazzle at the Arirang Mass Games
Mr Trump comments on potential conflict came during a meeting with North Korean defectors at the White House. He met North Korean defector Ji Seong-ho whose flight to freedom was highlighted in Mr Trump’s State of the Union address this week. Ji, a double amputee who fled North Korea on crutches, said he was "deeply moved" and "honoured" to be mentioned by the US President in his first State of the Union address. And he praised Mr Trump for “sending out a warning” when he spoke of human rights violations in North Korea. During his address, Mr Trump said: "No regime has oppressed its own citizens more totally or brutally than the cruel dictatorship in North Korea.
GETTY The Winter Olympics begin in PyeongChang, South Korea on Friday 9 February
“We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and our allies." Ji, who held his crutches aloft when he was acknowledged by Mr Trump, said he was pleased the State of the Union speech recognised human rights violations in North Korea. He said: “It will be meaningful to the people of North Korea. It probably will come as a big threat to the North Korean regime. "I was moved to tears. I have never felt more honoured in my life."
GETTY Donald Trump met North Korean defector Ji Seong-ho
PyeongChang 2018: N. Korean athletes check in to athletes' village Thu, February 1, 2018 Scheduled to take place from 9 to 25 February 2018 in Pyeongchang County, South Korea Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 20 North Korean Olympic team arrives in South Korea