why,why, why would kim decide to start up a peace process NOW?

[cheyanne]

How about because his last nuclear test caused an earthquake that probably made it necessary to build a new test site?

He hasn't had a nuclear test since october. he is more vulnerable now than he was when he could show his might with nuclear tests.

So start a peace process that would insure that us and sk would be too busy trying to negotiate his demands to actually attack him.. . .

and by the way, a summit meeting between two heads of state is usually preceded by long negotiations between lower level officials on policy: no surprises. the summit is the photo op.

a head of state doesn't go into a summit saying he'll leave it if he doesn't like the terms, or that maybe it won't work out.

and there are good reasons that these protocols were set up. . ..

[Iliyah]

1. Un Kim knows what he is doing and it's only in the best interest

for him only. The people of NK will still be fucked.

[TNLib]

2. The Trump administration is willing to meet with him and that elevates his global standing

I don't expect much to come of the process. Other than NK, China and Russian will benefit.

[Eyeball_Kid]

3. There may be internal pressures to quell dissent among his ranks.

There's a lot we don't know, but a summit with Trumpy may be the shiny object that forestalls Kim's demise. We should expect that Kim will heighten his esteem with such a meeting. But he also knows that, very soon now, his bluster will be in full bloom if he continues to threaten and test missiles. He won't attack, as that would be national suicide. He can only threaten. So he may as well use his threats as a ticket to "negotiations."

Kim's N.K. is extremely impoverished. Missiles can't feed his people. But he's walking a thin line. "Threats" from the US can't be blamed for chronic food shortages forever. N.K. has to grow an agricultural industry that's self-sustaining. They export zip. They don't have the cash to import. Kim may need hardware to grow food. He should be looking to industrialized nations to get agricultural hardware. But hey, what do I know?

[ProgRocknProgPol]

6. I definitely agree about the thin line

Honestly, I think the main thing that might prevent this negotiation from being a success is showing how Kim can still project strength to his people to prevent a coup or uprising. If he goes towards a benevolent dictatorship, then will there be anyone in his current inner circle who will try to depose him? If he backs off and doubles down on his human rights violations, then will the people rise up and overthrow him soon? So far, Moon-Jae In and Trump have said far more about the Korean summit to the international world than Kim Jong Un. We probably won't get a clear idea of what North Korea will likely do until the Korean summit next week.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Kim is playing Trump like a Stradivarius.

Spanky will waltz into that meeting like he was doing a NYC real estate deal and he'll expect Kim to fold like a cheap lawn chair when he's confronted with those mad deal-making skilz. Kim has blown up many deals before, but he figures he can get respect as a major international player by getting Trump to meet with him - but he won't give away shit.

[fleur-de-lisa]

5. I think he is engaging Shitler to take advantage of the fact that we have no functioning State Dept.

No other president was willing to meet with Kim because they didn't want to give him legitimacy.

Kim knows Trump is a fool. He is playing him for world recognition.

[Azathoth]

7. He knows Trump is a mentally ill basketcase who will give away the farm in exchange for flattery

And he also knows that Trump is going to be impeached next year and so there is a limited window to get concessions before the orange clown becomes totally powerless.

[mythology]

8. There are a number of potential reasons

He could think he can outsmart Trump, it could be that he worries Trump might actually nuke North Korea, it could be as you suggest he's trying to buy time, he could need sanctions relief for some plan.

Pretty much anything short of a legitimate desire to improve the life of the average North Korean.

[Vinca]

9. Maybe he wants to meet with Trump and have a deadly handshake.

How would the Secret Service vet the little nut and know he didn't have a tiny dot of something that'll put Don on the floor doing the chicken in a few minutes?

[OnDoutside]

10. Because you take advantage when your enemy is weak ?

[Xolodno]

11. Dump's ego is his weakness and Kim is going to exploit it.

Dump would love nothing more than be the guy who made peace with NK or the one who brought it down. Either way, it feeds his ego. Add to that, he desperately needs some kind of "victory" to have any chance at salvaging his presidency.

Russia and China have no doubt told Kim to work with him while the opportunity is still there.

Of course the conditions for peace are the ones we will not agree to under a normal administration. That is, complete demilitarization of the Korean Peninsula. In other words, aside from limited security personal in each country, all our bases, troops, etc. have to be removed.

The US doesn't want it as its a check against China's power and Russia's growing influence in the Pacific. It would also remove our only direct land connection to them (obviously via NK).