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What game is Kim Jong Un playing?

Both opportunities and dangers will be present in upcoming talks

What sort of game is North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un playing? The question became more difficult to answer recently, in the wake of an historic meeting between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

A spokesman for Moon told reporters Kim assured the South Korean leader he plans to shut down the north’s nuclear weapons testing site. Then, he will allow experts and journalists to verify operations have ceased, the spokesman said.

In addition, leaders of the two nations talked about Kim’s planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Moon’s spokesman said Kim commented he hopes to convince Trump he is “not the person” to fire missiles at the United States.

All this is a 180-degree turn away from the bellicose rhetoric and arms buildup that have characterized North Korea for decades.

Has Kim turned over a new leaf? Is he not a chip off the old block of his father and grandfather?

That is difficult to believe. Trump, in expressing both gratification at the planned meeting and skepticism about Kim’s intentions, reflects the attitudes of many Americans.

So, what is Kim’s strategy? We will know, one way or the other, soon enough.

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