US maintains cautious stance regarding N. Korea’s missile launch

US President Donald Trump’s tweet on May 4 regarding North Korea’s test launch of short-range missiles. (Trump’s Twitter account)

Trump emphasizes relationship with Kim and NK’s economic potential in post-launch tweet

The US administration is maintaining a cautious stance in response to North Korea’s launch of a short-range missile as it closely observes the unfolding situation. The approach is being seen as intended to keep the situation on a stable footing instead of escalating tensions by responding to power with power. The South Korean administration has also maintained a generally circumspect approach even as it urged the North to stop engaging in actions that increase military tensions.

In a Twitter message posted around 13 hours after the North Korean missilelaunch, US President Donald Trump wrote on the morning of May 4 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me.”

“Anything in this very interesting world is possible, but I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, & will do nothing to interfere or end it,” he also wrote, concluding his post with the message, “Deal will happen!”

Trump’s tweet appeared to reflect his hopes of avoiding an increase in tensions by refraining from an aggressive response, while also deterring possible additional actions by North Korea. With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declaring his intent to suspend nuclear testing and long-range rocket launches, the message indirectly urged him not to proceed to further actions beyond the launch of a “short-range missile.”

Trump also left the door open to future dialogue with Pyongyang by stressing North Korea’s “economic potential” and the possibility of an agreement. His message about being “with” Kim signaled his intent to sustain momentum in the dialogue between the two leaders while maintaining a relationship of trust. Speaking on the evening of May 3 following reports of the launch, White House Spokesperson Sarah Sanders sent the restrained message that the US was “aware of North Korea's actions tonight” and would “continue to monitor as necessary.”

The test launch of short-range missiles into the East Sea on May 4 was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) the following day. (Yonhap News)

The US website Vox reported that Trump was angered after seeing the report of the North Korean short-range missile launch. Shortly after White House National Security Advisor John Bolton reported to Trump on the evening of May 3, a source told the site, “Trump is pissed off, like Kim fucked him over.” The report also said that senior aides were “urging [Trump] not to tweet anything” until he spoke with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The report also quoted a source as saying in reference to Trump’s tweets that the US President “is not happy, but not flipping out like last night.”

The accounts suggest that Trump’s Twitter message may have been coordinated by the US administration the previous evening based on the sharing of intelligence with South Korean authorities, reports from advisors, and discussions.

“The Trump administration does not view the short-range missile as provocative enough to scuttle the diplomatic process, and it adopted a calm and restrained approach in its response,” US Institute of Peace senior expert Frank Aum told the Hankyoreh.

Blue House moderates response to avoid impression of escalating tensions

Following a meeting of related ministers on May 4 with Blue House National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong and Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo in attendance, the South Korean administration responded with a position statement from Blue House spokesperson Ko Min-jung.

“We are very concerned about North Korea’s latest action, which goes against the aims of the September 19 military agreement between South and North,” Ko said.

“We look forward to North Korea actively joining efforts to resume dialogue quickly,” she continued. The Blue House’s decision to hold a ministers’ meeting rather than a National Security Council meeting was seen as attempt to moderate its response by avoiding the impression that it was treating the situation as a serious raising of tensions.

By Hwang Joon-bum, Washington correspondent, and Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporter

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