[K-Women Talk] The Diplomatic Ring Match Between Korea and the U.S.: We Must Not Let Our Guard Down

A Diplomatic Match Where Immediate Victory Is Hard to Judge
Follow-Up Measures and Watchful Eyes on a Possible US-North Korea Meeting

The world is in turmoil. On August 15, in Alaska, the two alpha leaders of the United States and Russia met in a dramatic encounter that seemed poised for a historic deal. Under the global spotlight, President Trump appeared wearing a robe adorned with the Stars and Stripes, shouting "End the war in Ukraine!" Meanwhile, President Putin stepped into the ring with a piercing gaze, clad in a robe featuring the double-headed eagle.

Trump threw the first jab, saying, "Isn't it time to end the war in Ukraine?" Putin dodged, replying, "A ceasefire is possible, but only if the conditions are right." Trump pressed on, insisting, "Let's agree to a ceasefire first and negotiate the conditions later," but the seasoned Putin blocked the punch and held on tightly, stating, "Ukraine must cede territory," waiting for the round to end.

When the bell rang, Trump struck a victory pose, declaring, "It was a great day. Now Putin will negotiate with Ukraine for me." President Putin, in turn, elaborated on Russia's justification for invading Ukraine and listed his demands for ending the war, leaving the ring with a look that said, "I'm the winner." On the surface, it was a draw, but most agreed that the experienced Putin had the upper hand in this bout.

Now, the world's attention is focused on today’s ring match in Washington between President Lee Jaemyung and President Trump. In the diplomatic ring, there are no weight classes. Heavyweights and lightweights can face off on the same stage. If Trump is a heavyweight, President Lee is a middleweight. Heavyweights have powerful punches, but middleweights have quick footwork and precise jabs. In boxing, the heavyweight punch might dominate, but in diplomacy, speed and technique can be even more important weapons.

This is what makes the diplomatic ring so much more intriguing. Unlike the Alaska U.S.-Russia summit, which ended as mere spectacle, Trump will now appear determined to showcase America's strength, stepping in proudly with an "America First" robe and clenched fists. Not to be outdone, President Lee will enter wearing a robe adorned with the Taegeuk symbol, proclaiming "fairness and balance," standing in the center of the ring with a determined look that says he will not be pushed back, even as he smiles at his opponent.

The key points to watch are how powerful Trump’s punches will be, whether Lee will skillfully dodge and counter with quick jabs, what the final score will be, or whether both will leave the ring each declaring their own victory. My prediction is that both will step down from the stage of their first encounter making a V sign, each claiming to have been superior and to have performed well.

Unlike a boxing match, the true evaluation of victory or defeat in the diplomatic ring comes only after the leaders leave the stage. While self-congratulation may not be a major issue for the United States, for us?facing the Goliath that is America?there is no room for mere psychological comfort. We must conduct a sober analysis of whether the combinations of punches, hooks, uppercuts, and jabs thrown over tariffs, investments, alliances, U.S. Forces Korea operations, defense costs, checks on China, and the North Korea issue were precise and effective, and consider how future scenarios might unfold. This should lead to follow-up negotiations and implementation, as well as the development of better strategies and capabilities for the matches to come.

There is yet another ring match where we must not let our guard down. A meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un may be what our government desires. But we should not overlook the lesson of how Ukraine was sidelined in the U.S.-Russia match in Alaska. This is not a time to simply cheer from the stands.

Park Eunha, Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom