John Bolton, who served as the White House National Security Advisor under the Donald Trump administration, described the past North Korea?U.S. summits as a "mistake." He also predicted that if former President Trump regains power in the upcoming November election, the first call would be made with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.
In an interview with the Nihon Keizai Shimbun released on the 28th, former National Security Advisor Bolton stated that North Korea's nuclear missile threat is growing. He said, "They (former President Trump and Chairman Kim) will be the first to communicate," and emphasized, "It is necessary for both South Korea and Japan to jointly explain to former President Trump why he should be cautious in talks with North Korea."
Bolton, considered a leading super-hawk, served as National Security Advisor from April 2018 to September 2019 during the Trump administration, leading U.S. foreign and security policy. However, he was eventually dismissed after clashing with former President Trump over key issues such as the North Korea?U.S. summits.
In his previously released memoirs and other statements, he warned that former President Trump was willing to make too many concessions to Pyongyang and might engage in reckless negotiations with North Korea early in his term. His evaluation of the North Korea?U.S. summits as a "mistake" and his concerns about a second Trump administration are seen as an extension of these warnings. He believes that during the North Korean nuclear negotiations, key allies South Korea and Japan were sidelined, while China's influence could expand.
One of Bolton's biggest concerns about a second Trump administration is the "lack of awareness regarding alliances." For example, he pointed out that the U.S.-Japan alliance not only strengthens Japan but also "enhances U.S. security," a fact that is not fully recognized. He also expressed concern that if Trump is re-elected, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could become dysfunctional. He emphasized that if the U.S. were to withdraw from NATO, it would be a "catastrophic mistake" for European and Atlantic security.
Regarding former President Trump's tough stance on China, including his announcement to impose tariffs exceeding 60% on Chinese products, Bolton dismissed it as "not lasting" and "just bluster." Classified as a hawk on China, he also mentioned that Chinese President Xi Jinping views former President Trump as "easy to negotiate with."
He added, "Former President Trump does what he thinks benefits him. That is what drives him," explaining, "It is not the tariff policy but 'what kind of propaganda it will be' that motivates him." When asked whether the U.S. military would intervene if China invades Taiwan, he said, "I don't know," adding, "If we show weakness, China will exploit it."
Bolton, who has openly expressed an anti-Trump stance, refrained from answering when asked who would be the key figure in a second Trump administration, calling it premature. He predicted, "The essence of Trump-style governance is to keep people uncertain," and said, "He will try to maintain cohesion without confirming appointments until the election is over." When asked if he would accept a key position if offered, he flatly replied, "I have no intention."
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