Reaction: Donald Trump strides into North Korea and history books
Analysts divided over significance of Trump's meeting with Kim Jong Un

Donald Trump has become the first serving American president to cross the border into North Korea, after meeting Kim Jong Un in the area dividing the two Koreas.
The two countries agreed to resume stalled nuclear talks after Trump and the North Korean leader posed for handshakes and talked for nearly an hour in the heavily fortified demilitarised zone.
“We don’t want speed, we want to get it right,” Trump said after the meeting. “It’s good for North Korea, it’s good for South Korea, I think it’s good for the world.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sky News said the “historic handshake” was “in terms of optics” a “triumph for both leaders”. CNN added that it “took to a new level Trump's showman instincts and view of diplomacy as a test of interpersonal skills”.
Writing for Fox News, Harry J. Kazianis, the director of Korean Studies at the Center for the National Interest, said: “If President Obama received a Nobel Prize for nearly nothing, then I think there is only one obvious thing to do, and that’s to make sure Donald Trump receives the award as well.”
However, the BBC says Trump’s critics will dismiss the meeting, arguing that it will only serve to “legitimise a totalitarian regime with one of the worst human rights records on the planet”.
Victor Cha, a former American negotiator with North Korea, told The Times: “Theatrics are no substitute for denuclearisation.”
History was certainly made when Trump stepped into North Korea. “Would you like me to step across?” the US President asked Kim as they shook hands. “I am OK with it.”
“Good to see you. I never expected to meet you at this place,” Kim told Trump through an interpreter.
The North Korean leader added that the moment held “a lot of significance”, as a “courageous and determined act” as they tried to “put an end to an unpleasant past.”
“Big moment,” Trump agreed, “tremendous progress.”
The two country’s last summit broke down in February with no progress on denuclearisation in North Korea. Since then the negotiations have been at a standstill, though Kim and Trump have exchanged letters in recent months.
Sunday’s meeting had been set up through a tweet sent by Trump, and it was on his beloved Twitter that the US President shared further thoughts on the moment. “Leaving South Korea after a wonderful meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un,” he wrote. “Stood on the soil of North Korea, an important statement for all, and a great honor!”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 26, 2025
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - ice cold eggs, lax security, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The strange phenomenon of beard transplants
In The Spotlight Inquiries for the procedure have tripled since 2020, according to one clinician, as prospective patients reportedly seek a more 'masculine' look
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 26, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
The fight for control of Ukraine's nuclear reactors
The Explainer How serious is Donald Trump about US ownership of Kyiv's nuclear power plants?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The El Salvador mega-prison at the centre of Trump's deportation scheme
The Explainer Invoking a 1798 law, the US president has sent hundreds of alleged gang members to high-security prison called 'black hole of human rights'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Romania's election chaos risks international fallout
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By barring far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from the country's upcoming electoral re-do, Romania places itself in the center of a broader struggle over European ultra-nationalism
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why is Netanyahu pushing into the West Bank now?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Israeli tanks have entered some Palestinian cities for the first time in decades. What's behind this latest assault on the occupied territory, and where could it lead if left unchecked?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Germany's conservatives win power amid far-right gains
Speed Read The party led by Friedrich Merz won the country's national election; the primary voter issues were the economy and immigration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published