On Nov 11, 2017, at 5:48 p.m. Donald J. Trump tweeted from Vietnam “Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me “old,” when I would NEVER call him “short and fat?” Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!” How did them come this far from insult each other to becoming friends in an international meeting? What I’m inferring is that they have to get closer because of three main reasons, their countries safely, their self-image towards the other country and the chance of taking advantage of each other.

The first reason is the most important one from my point of view. We all know that the two countries were having problems with each other, like a nuclear threat. Because they were both worried about their own countries, they had to think of a way that can lead them to an agreement where the huge threat can be solved because that’s related to almost 350 millions of people’s life. In conclusion, it would be helpful if they become friends, that would be a big step.

The second reason how they did come this far from insult each other to becoming friends in an international meeting is that their image towards the other country, in other words how the opposite country’s people view them. They might hate the other country so much but still, they are like the representation of themselves as well as their country. If the president has a good image on the other country them the people of the other country will think that that country is a great place too, so the relationship between the two wouldn’t be too stiff.

Last but not least, advantageous for each of their own side. “We have no permanent allies, we have no permanent enemies, we only have permanent interests.” - attributed to Henry John Temple Viscount Lord Palmerston 1784-1865, Foreign Secretary and two-time Prime Minister under Queen Victoria, which is perfect for describing this situation because of this example of their meeting. Did they come from wanting to bomb each other to hug each other? This is a clear indication of Kim wanting to take advantage of the U.S. Once they are allies North Korea will be protected by the U.S.

They did come this far from insult each other to becoming friends in an international meeting because of three main reasons, their countries safely, their self-image towards the other country and the chance of taking advantage of each other. Overall, the two countries are in a process, all we can do is wait and hope everything will get even better.

<Allen Liu Portola HS 9th Grade>