12 June.

That was the day that might, might make history. The day two countries that hate each other manage to resolve their differences.

Too bad, it’s all down the drain.

Here are 8 facts about the cancellation of the United States and North Korea summit that had the world holding its breath.

1. What’s going down on 12 June 2018?

In case you’ve not been keeping up with the news, 12 June is the date where President Trump and Kim Jong Un are supposed to meet in Singapore.

In Trump’s words, it was supposed to be a “special moment for World Peace!”

A nuclear test site was demolished, high-ranking officials met to discuss and arrange the summit, dates were set, NSMen in Singapore were afraid they’ll be called back on standby, the leaders of North and South Korea met and shook hands.

Then, on 24 May, President Donald Trump cancelled the summit. He claimed that it was because of a “slew of broken promises” by the North.

2. The thing that led to the cancellation of the summit

So what happened? Why did everything seem to break down so fast?

According to reports, it’s due to the difference in expectations between the two countries.

The United States entered into the submit expecting a “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation” of North Korea.

North Korea, however, said they cannot completely denuclearise until they feel safe what it calls US aggression.

However, the North said that they’ve dismantled the Punggye-ri nuclear site as a sign of goodwill for the summit.

They selected a small group of international media to witness the event.

3. A big mistake to play with Trump, be careful or you’ll end up like Libya

So the US demanded complete denuclearization of the North and it wasn’t very well-received.

Then, gunpowder was thrown into the fire once again.

On a Monday interview, US Vice President Mike Pence warned Kim that it would be “a great mistake” to play with Trump.

He added that should the North not take the (denuclearization) deal, he might just end up like Libya.

The former leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, died at the hands of US-backed rebels after giving up atomic weapons.

And things blew up from there.

4. NK called US Vice-President Mike Pence “ignorant and stupid”

Of course, with such an obvious threat, the North isn’t going to sit still.

Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui said that Mike Pence is “stupid and ignorant”, and she can’t believe these remarks come from the mouth of the US vice-president.

She stated that North Korea will not beg the US for dialogue, or try to persuade them. Promising to advise Kim to cancel the summit should there be any more threats, she said that the outcome will be entirely dependent on the behaviour of the US.

5. Conclusion: Summit Cancelled

And surprise, surprise. Summit cancelled.

Trump blamed the cancellation of the summit on the North’s “tremendous anger and open hostility”.

And in true Trump form, he just had to compare the size of their nuclear arsenal again.

He warned the North against “any reckless actions”, and pledged to follow through with Washington’s campaign of “maximum sanctions”.

However, he did leave an out for himself and Kim.

“If and when Kim Jong Un chooses to engage in constructive dialogue and actions, I am waiting.”

6. North Korea’s Response To The Cancellation Of The Summit

So, what now? Nobody knows.

However, North Korea has responded to the cancellation of the summit on 25 May.

First vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan expresses “great regret” over Trump’s decisions, and the North “remains broad-minded and open all the time” for future talks with the US.

He added that the DPRK had sincerely placed the historical summit as one of their highest priority.

So when Trump suddenly changed his mind, it was a decision that the world didn’t want.

As for their recent open hostility, it was made in response to Pence’s latest remarks. The US had time and again tried to get North Korea to scrap their nuclear program before the summit take place.

He claimed that the North’s goal still hasn’t changed.

We’ll do everything we could for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and humankind, and we, broad-minded and open all the time, have the willingness to offer the U.S. side time and opportunity.

Now, if the there’s a reschedule of the summit, one can’t help but to wonder: Would it still be Singapore?

7. Reactions to the cancelled meeting

Remember North Korea’s response to the cancellation of the summit? They said that it wasn’t what the world wanted.

So let’s see how several different parties reacted to the news.

Singapore
“Singapore hopes that the dialogue and efforts to find lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula will continue.”

Russia
The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin still hopes that dialogue between the two countries will resume and talks will eventually take place.

Britain
Disappointed that the meeting isn’t going ahead. An agreement for a completely verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is needed.

United Nations (UN)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is “deeply concerned by the cancellation of the planned meeting”.

China
Hopes that dialogue resumes and a peaceful resolution can be reached.

8. South and North Korea to continue talks with each other

But if there is one benefit that comes out of this entire mess, it’ll probably be the North and South of Korea having a better relationship.

While the president of South Korea, Moon Jae-In immediately gathered his officials for an emergency meeting, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Seoul will continue talking to Kim’s regime.

He said that the North has been “sincere in implementing the agreement and making efforts on denuclearisation and peace building”.

Well, for us Singaporeans?

NSmen just realized they can breathe better next month.

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