{"id":4264,"date":"2019-07-04T18:45:54","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T09:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4264"},"modified":"2019-07-05T18:51:37","modified_gmt":"2019-07-05T09:51:37","slug":"not-to-fantasize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2019\/07\/recommendations\/not-to-fantasize\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cTrump-Kim Jong-un Meeting\uff1e Cynical Citizens Told \u201cNot to Fantasize\u201d by Pessimistic Party Officials"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump shaking hands at Panmunjom truce village on June 30. Photograph published by North Korea\u2019s Rodong Sinmun.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 Lessons learned from the disappointing failure of Hanoi<\/h2>\n

Kim Jong-un and President Trump surprised the world by meeting on June 30 at the truce village of Panmunjom. So how have North Koreans been reacting to the meeting? We asked multiple reporting partners in the North to describe the mood of the country. (Kang Ji-won\/ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

North Korean state media first reported on the meeting at Panmunjom on July 1. The tone of the reports, however, seemed far less enthusiastic, in comparison to those released following the inter-Korean summit in April last year or the first meeting with President Trump last June. Reportedly, the authorities are holding back so as to temper the nation\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n

A reporting partner living in Ryanggang Province said, \u201cThere was a TV broadcast at 9 a.m. on July 1, but there was no advance notice given for us to gather to watch it. Ordinary people say they want the sanctions to be relaxed for our lives to get better, but nobody expects for this to happen. This is because they were heavily disappointed when the talks with Trump in Hanoi failed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u25c6 Party official: \u201cNothing changes- even when we meet with Trump\u201d<\/h2>\n

\u201cOn the same day there was a meeting of local party officials to discuss city beautification projects, the status of construction at Samjiyeon, and support for the meeting at Panmunjom. Referring to the talks, the officials said, \u2018Nothing will change despite meetings with Trump or Moon Jae-in. We cannot afford to indulge in fantasies and must advance through our own strength. This message must be stressed to institutions, state enterprises, and ordinary citizens.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the reporting partner said some officials spoke glowingly to promote Kim Jong-un\u2019s authority. An executive for a trading enterprise in Ryanggang Province told the reporting partner in private, \u201cAs Trump asked for it, the Supreme Leader (Kim Jong-un) went to Panmunjom to meet him face to face. For Trump not to be impeached, he wants to maintain good relations with us, even if we do not denuclearize.\u201d<\/p>\n

An official of the People\u2019s Committee in Ryanggang Province gave an absurd account of the Panmunjom meeting, saying, \u201cTrump said that he has hung a portrait of our Supreme Leader at the White House. At this latest meeting, Trump said that he will gain the trust of the American people.\u201d
\nNext page : North Korean citizens react very coldly...<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25c6 North Korean citizens react very coldly<\/h2>\n

Unlike in South Korea and Japan, where expectations for future developments have been stoked by the surprise talks, North Koreans have responded very coldly to the meeting. They have a good reason for doing so. Despite Kim Jong-un\u2019s many meetings with the leaders of South Korea, the U.S., China, and Russia, the sanctions have not been lifted. In addition, worsening living conditions have brought pessimism, with citizens telling themselves, \u2018No matter what happens, nothing will change\u2019 and \u2018We do not want to get excited for nothing\u2019.<\/p>\n

Indeed, remarks made by officials at the above-mentioned party meeting reflect the regime\u2019s own judgement that talks with the U.S. are not likely to advance quickly. Moreover, after the bitter disappointment caused by the collapse of the Hanoi talks and the resulting damage to Kim Jong-un\u2019s authority, the regime seems to be curbing propaganda related to the Panmunjom meeting.<\/p>\n

\u203b ASIAPRESS contacts its reporting partners through smuggled Chinese mobile phones.<\/p>\n

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