“It was important for more defense spending contributions from Korea, but develop a great relationship with South Korea”,
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[President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un meeting in the north side of the Military Demarcation Line at Panmunjom in June 2019 and then moving to the south side. (Photo=Yonhap News)]
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, ‘In a photo book to be published on the 3rd (local time), former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump praised his summit meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held during his tenure, saying they “proved that true change is indeed possible.”‘,
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, “Trump included 10 photos of his three meetings with Kim Jong-un in the photo book ‘SAVE AMERICA,’ which covers his diplomatic engagements and important events since leaving office, including being shot at during a campaign rally last July.”,
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, ‘In the caption under a photo taken at the 2nd North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi in February 2019, Trump wrote, “Kim Jong-un had an unprecedented opportunity to lead his people into a new era of security and prosperity.”‘,
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, ‘He further emphasized, “Our unprecedented meeting, the first meeting between a U.S. president and a North Korean leader, proved that true change is indeed possible,” adding, “The meetings with Kim Jong-un were frank, direct, and productive.”‘,
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, ‘He also added, “We got to know each other very well in a very limited time.”‘,
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, ‘By allocating a considerable portion of his photo book to the North Korea-U.S. summit, Trump showed that he considers his diplomacy with Kim Jong-un as one of his significant achievements.’,
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, ‘Photos in the book include scenes of the North Korean and U.S. leaders shaking hands across the Military Demarcation Line at Panmunjom in June 2019 and briefly stepping onto North Korean soil together.’,
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, ‘During the Republican National Convention in July, Trump stated in his acceptance speech, “If we return to power, I will get along well with him (Kim Jong-un),” showcasing his chemistry with Kim and his willingness to engage in top-down diplomacy.’,
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, ‘At a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on September 30, Trump repeatedly mentioned his readiness to engage with authoritarian leaders such as those from North Korea, China, and Russia, contrasting himself with Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he described as lacking experience in handling such matters.’,
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, ‘The photo book also includes four photos from his visit to South Korea in November 2017 with First Lady Melania, showing pictures taken with then-President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook, a photo of their summit meeting, a visit to Camp Humphreys U.S. military base in Gyeonggi Province, and paying respects at the National Cemetery.’,
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, ‘Through the photo captions, Trump stated, “Although it was very important to me that they start paying more for defense, I developed a great relationship with President Moon and South Korea.”‘,
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, ‘During his first term, Trump demanded that Korea dramatically increase its defense cost-sharing ratio (the amount Korea contributes to the cost of stationing U.S. troops in Korea) to about 5 to 6 times the previous level.’,
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, ‘However, negotiations between the Moon and Trump administrations dragged on for a long time due to differences in the amount, and it was not until the Biden administration took office in January 2021 that both sides found a compromise through follow-up negotiations. The emphasis on the defense cost-sharing issue in reflecting on the South Korea-U.S. diplomacy signifies that demands for a significant increase in defense cost-sharing may resurface when returning to power.’,
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, ‘Under the photo of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump added the explanation, “I always got along very well with President Xi. But COVID-19 really messed that up.”‘,
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, ‘He continued, “The continuing unfair (China) trade deficit was a dangerous thing,” and after stating, “I successfully negotiated two trade deals with China during my first term,” he wrote, “Next, we can secure great victories for our country and achieve more.”‘,
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, ‘Moreover, in the caption below the photo of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he wrote, “Putin took the land during the Bush and Obama administrations, and thanks to Biden, he is trying to take all of Ukraine,” and repeatedly asserted, “If I were president, he would never have gone into Ukraine.”‘,
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, ‘Trump also included a photo of Vice President Harris in the photo book and wrote in the caption, “Chief border officer Kamala Harris was a disaster.”‘,
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, ‘He further stated, “She didn’t know what she was doing and she never went to the border,” adding that if Harris were in power, “the same thing (illegal immigration through the southern border) would happen on a larger scale.”‘,
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, ‘In addition, under a photo of himself and President Joe Biden during a TV debate, Trump wrote, “Biden would never be able to have a proper debate. He’s not smart enough (to carry out the presidency) adequately.”‘,
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, ‘Also, while introducing photos taken at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July where he was shot in the ear, he wrote, “I am only here by the grace of Almighty God.”‘,
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