Mattis warns Japan, S Korea of bumpy road to Trump-Kim summit

Japan shouldn't pay a cent unless is has assurances on nukes, biological weapons, chemical weapons intermediate range missiles, and it needs a proper accounting of the abductions.

A bumpy road for the entire world :)

wrong approach

Right approach is?

With Trump being more unstable, immature, and senile than Kim, I’d say it’s a pretty safe warning.

Matt HartwellToday  05:40 pm JST

Japan shouldn't pay a cent unless is has assurances on nukes, biological weapons, chemical weapons intermediate range missiles, and it needs a proper accounting of the abductions.

Should the abductions issue really be a part of this peace process, up front? I say that because all the other threats you highlight are clear and present and represent a threat to Japan today, 2018 and well into the future. The abductions issue is something in the past. If North Korea comes good on present and future threats would it not be wiser to play ball with North Korea for the sake of those goals?

I understand the abductions issue is a sensitive one and I respect that, just saying, think of the future before the past.

That's a good question. It is part of the peace process, but not at the forefront because unless the main issues are resolved first, it can not be resolved. It only looks like it's at the forefront because it is a big issue within Japan domestically. US and South Korea and both have agreed to include this issue. In fact according to South Korea, North Korea had already stated that they would like to establish relations with Japan and are prepared to resolve this issue. But of course realistically it a small issue relative to the main ones, and can not be resolved until the nuclear and missile threats are resolved, the state of war is resolved, diplomatic relations are established first, etc etc. Which is undoubtedly why the US, SK and NK all seem to have no problems with Japan bringing this up. Put simply, whatever happens at the June 12th summit and ones following it (if any) are in no way influenced by the abduction issue. And since South Korea is at the forefront of improved relations with the North, they too will eventually have to bring up the issue of the 480 South Koreans believed to have been abducted by North Korea.

MizuameToday  05:18 pm JST

Japan shouldn't pay a cent unless is has assurances on nukes, biological weapons, chemical weapons intermediate range missiles, and it needs a proper accounting of the abductions.

don't all these threats apply to SK too? as well as all the countries within SE Asia?

Japan shouldn't pay a cent unless is has assurances on nukes, biological weapons, chemical weapons intermediate range missiles, and it needs a proper accounting of the abductions.

Should the abductions issue really be a part of this peace process, up front? I say that because all the other threats you highlight are clear and present and represent a threat to Japan today, 2018 and well into the future. The abductions issue is something in the past. If North Korea comes good on present and future threats would it not be wiser to play ball with North Korea for the sake of those goals?

I understand the abductions issue is a sensitive one and I respect that, just saying, think of the future before the past.

tweedledumb and tweedledumber had a meeting.

not sure which is which.

It will be a "bumpy road"

Stop the drama.  As expected, Trump demanded Japan/SK pay money to NK. US's real ally.

With Trump being more unstable, immature, and senile than Kim

These comments never fail to amaze me. You really believe a guy who sends stupid tweets out at midnight is worse than a dictator who has subordinates murdered when they fail him and entire families imprisoned for life when they don't follow the party line? Really? Trump definitely has problems, but Kim is a murdering psychopath. The two don't even begin to compare.

With excelent Leaders like PM Abe and Trump leading the way, road will not be as bumpy as most expect. They hold all the cards. “Bad Cop” Trump with military threats against Kim-san, and “good cop” PM Abe with promises of huge economic investment in NK. Kim-San will listen and agree to their offers.

wrong approach