President Donald Trump's actions in the months after his meeting with Kim Jong Un are causing anxiety among South Koreans, who fear he'll walk away from dealing with North Korea on nuclear weapons, Politico reports.
South Koreans are saying they think Trump was seeking a "trophy" by meeting with North Korea's Kim, but won't be involved in the follow-up work, reports Politico.
In addition, the president has not secured a formal end to the decades-long Korean War, and concerns are being voiced about why Trump is pushing a trade war with China when he needs the country to keep pressure on North Korea.
“I’m concerned he may lose patience, and then just get out of this,” Dr. Jun Bong-Geun, a former policy adviser to South Korea’s minister of unification, told Politico. “That could be possible, very possible.”
On Friday, Trump canceled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's trip back to North Korea, adding to South Koreans' concerns.
South Korean media outlets are also starting to reflect uncertainty, said Seoul-based North Korea scholar Dr. Andrei Lankov, adding that South Korea's government will continue to insist that all is well.
Trump does remain a popular figure in South Korea, including making the covers of newspapers. But, there are protesters who claim he's a warmonger and that perception could spread as many suspect he does not have the ability to resolve the nuclear issues.
Former President Barack Obama was a popular figure, but his theory of "strategic patience" for Pyongyang was seen by many as "strategic indifference," so Trump's bold assertiveness was welcomed.
“Trump was one who took initiative,” said Dr. Kim Hyun-wook, a professor with the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. “He believes in his ability.”