*By Alisha Haridasani* Though President Trump abruptly canceled his planned meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong-un, there's still a possibility the highly-anticipated summit could take place in the future, if the two sides can tamp down their antagonism and agree to a framework for denuclearization, analysts said. In a [letter](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999686062082535424) Thursday to the North Korean leader, Trump said, “it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.” The summit was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. "The North Koreans have two choices: They can either choose to overreact and perhaps engage in a heated rhetorical exchange with President Trump in the future," said Lisa Collins, a fellow at the Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Or they can play it cool and engage with the Trump administration in back-channel communications." South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a crucial player in setting up the summit, was taken by surprise, describing the abrupt turn of events as “very regretful and disconcerting.” Trump's letter was sent just hours after North Korea threatened to scuttle the meeting, and several antagonistic comments by Kim, which may have prompted the president to get ahead of the devolving diplomatic situation. North Korea's threats were inspired, in part, by Vice President Mike Pence’s comments on Fox News on Monday where he warned that if the country doesn’t agree to denuclearization, it would meet the same fate as Libya. Pence was referring to the case of the former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who was captured and killed by rebels in 2011 during the Arab Spring. The country had given up its nuclear arsenal in 2003, and the United States helped rebel groups topple him eight years later. The comments alarmed Kim, who has made clear he would not agree to any sort of regime changes. “North Korea, on its own side, has referred to denuclearization as a process by which the U.S. first guarantees its security,” Collins said in an interview with Cheddar. Trump’s letter was a mix of praise for Kim and forceful language. He thanked North Korea for releasing American hostages and reminded Kim that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is “so massive and powerful.” Trump did, however, keep the door open for a future summit. “There’s still room for them to agree to have a meeting in the future, it just depends on whether can narrow their difference,” Collins said. For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/trump-cancels-summit-with-north-korea).

Share:
More In Politics
Speaker McCarthy Vows to Pass Debt Bill — But Can He Do It?
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged Monday to pass legislation to raise the nation's debt ceiling — but only on condition of capping future federal spending increases at 1% — as he lashed out at President Joe Biden for refusing to engage in budget-cutting negotiations to prevent a debt crisis.
Rep. George Santos Announces Reelection Bid
U.S. Rep. George Santos, the New York Republican whose lies about his background and wealth helped propel him into office, announced Monday that he's running for reelection.
Kamala Harris Rallies as High Court Eyes Abortion Pill Rules
Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday urged Americans to take action during “a critical point in our nation’s history” as thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.
Load More