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US presidential candidate Donald Trump defended his approach to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, labeling it a good thing during a rally in Pennsylvania on Friday.
His remarks came in response to criticisms from his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, who pledged not to cosy up to dictators like Kim.
At the rally, Trump highlighted his unique diplomatic engagement with Kim, recalling his historic visit to the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019.
“I got along with Kim Jong Un,” Trump said. “Remember, I was the first person ever to walk over from this country.”
He referred to his brief crossing of the Military Demarcation Line into North Korea as a notable achievement.
Trump continued, “We also looked at his nuclear capability, which is substantial. You know, getting along is a good thing. It’s not a bad thing.”
His comments underscore his belief in personal diplomacy as a tool for addressing complex international issues.
In contrast, Kamala Harris, in her nomination acceptance speech last Thursday in Chicago, criticized Trump’s approach to North Korea.
She accused Trump of being susceptible to manipulation by authoritarian leaders.
“I will not cosy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump,” Harris asserted.
She suggested that Trump’s tendency to flatter and favor dictators could compromise US interests.
The exchange between the two candidates reflects their divergent strategies for dealing with North Korea.
Trump’s remarks hint at a potential revival of his personal diplomacy with Pyongyang if re-elected, aiming to address North Korea’s nuclear ambitions directly.
Harris, on the other hand, advocates for a strategy centered on collaboration with allies and partners to counter North Korea’s evolving threats.
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