Trump, "Kim Jong-un, an Amazing Golfer"

Remarks Made Ahead of the 1st North Korea-U.S. Summit

Revealed Following the Release of a Recorded Video from President Trump's Private Donor Dinner Over Two Years Ago

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been belatedly revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump referred to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as a "great golfer" ahead of the first North Korea-U.S. summit held in Singapore.

This was disclosed through a recorded video of President Trump's private donor dinner from over two years ago and came to light amid the ongoing impeachment trial of President Trump in the Senate.

According to the Associated Press, President Trump's remarks were made at a donor dinner held on April 30, 2018, at the Washington Trump International Hotel, owned by the Trump Organization.

The transcript of the recorded scene shows President Trump saying, "Things with North Korea are going very well," and "We have decided on the (North Korea-U.S. summit) location, and an announcement will be made soon."

In the video, when an attendee asked about the possibility of holding the North Korea-U.S. summit at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course in Songdo International City, Incheon, President Trump responded indirectly, implying that arrangements were already well underway, thus politely declining.

The golf course, in which the U.S. real estate development company Gale International owns a 70% stake, was designed by the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus, the AP reported.

President Trump then said, "As you know, Kim Jong-un is a great golfer." The audience burst into laughter, and some attendees added, "He's the best in the world."

President Trump also said, "He (Kim Jong-un) would make Jack Nicklaus look like a beginner." Jack Nicklaus's grandson was present at the event, and Nicklaus was often a topic of conversation.

President Trump said, "Have you heard? He (Kim Jong-un) reportedly scored 18 strokes," then added, "Actually, it was his father who scored 18 strokes," meaning he made a hole-in-one on every hole.

While President Trump is known as a golf enthusiast, it is unclear whether Kim Jong-un enjoys golf. The remark about Kim being a great golfer is interpreted as a comment aimed at the idolization of the North Korean leader.

On that day, President Trump discussed various issues, including the Korean War.

President Trump questioned, "How on earth did we get involved in Korea? Tell me how we ended up participating in the Korean War," expressing doubts about the U.S. involvement in the Korean War.

Additionally, former President George W. Bush, China, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the European Union (EU) were also subjects of President Trump's 'behind-the-scenes' remarks at the time.

Regarding former President Bush, he sarcastically said, "Because of Bush, we got dragged into wars and the Middle East, spending 7 trillion dollars. It's a great example," using irony to mock him, and criticized China by saying, "China has been taking advantage of us for years, and we owe China 2 trillion dollars."

He went on to attack the WTO, saying, "The WTO is even worse. China wasn't this formidable before joining the WTO."

These remarks were revealed when a one-hour video recorded by the lawyer of Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-born businessman involved in the 'Ukraine scandal' and an acquaintance of Rudy Giuliani, President Trump's personal lawyer, was released amid the Senate impeachment trial.

Parnas's side released the video to prove that, contrary to President Trump's claim that "Parnas is a stranger," Parnas had access to President Trump and Trump's 'inner circle.'