[Correspondent Column] The Revenge of Trump’s Joker 'Bolton' Who Broke the North Korea-US Summit

Former White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor John Bolton is a figure rarely seen in positive news. Known as a 'super hawk,' he has mainly played a negative role in U.S. foreign policy. When President Donald Trump appointed the belligerent Bolton as NSC advisor, many found it surprising. As tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs escalated, Trump issued statements like 'fire and fury,' showing a strong aversion to any 'power' opposing the United States. Any force opposing his vision of a 'great America' could quickly turn from ally to adversary.

So, does President Trump really prefer war? It is easy to understand that he does not, given his aversion to becoming embroiled in costly conflicts. Even now, despite criticism that the U.S. is ignoring its allies, it is pushing for troop withdrawals from places like the Middle East.

It is true that after Trump's inauguration, U.S. foreign policy shifted from interventionism to isolationism, causing international turmoil. This was evident in conflicts with North Korea and the recent 'rollercoaster' tensions with Iran that threatened the world. Nevertheless, conflicts arising from Trump's international diplomacy appear somewhat limited. A prime example is the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Quds Force. The killing raised fears of war between the U.S. and Iran, but those concerns quickly melted away.

Is this the effect of the 'madman strategy,' where no one knows what might happen? North Korea, which failed to deliver the promised Christmas gift, and China, which signed a truce in the U.S.-China trade dispute, both refrained from confronting Trump aggressively. The perfect match for Trump's madman strategy was none other than former advisor Bolton. Although some claimed Bolton had little presence in the White House, he was more than enough to play the decisive 'joker' role.

The critical moment for Bolton came at the second North Korea-U.S. summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam, last year. It is widely believed that Bolton played a major role in causing the talks to collapse. Former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun even called Bolton the 'signal' for the breakdown and described him as a "very unlucky person." Such a card would be a thorn in the side of opponents but a crucial joker for President Trump.

However, if the joker forgets its role, the situation changes. Trump cited Bolton's suggestion of a Libyan-style solution?referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meeting a tragic end like Muammar Gaddafi?as a reason for dismissing him, revealing their conflict over how to handle North Korea.

A joker does not simply disappear. Bolton was considered a 'decisive blow' during Trump's impeachment process. Are fears becoming reality? After the U.S. Senate began impeachment proceedings, Bolton reignited the fading impeachment battle. Now, Trump finds himself on the defensive, with cracks appearing even within the once-solid Republican Party.

How should we view the situation where Bolton's arrows, once aimed at Kim Jong-un, are now directed at President Trump? Recently, international diplomatic circles have suggested that within the U.S. government, there is a growing recognition that the proposal by North Korea at the Hanoi summit to dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear facility should have been accepted. What might have happened if Trump had not brought Bolton to the talks with Kim? Leaving aside the nearly year-long deadlock in North Korea-U.S. relations, at least Trump might have avoided the joker's 'counterattack.'