Former national security adviser John Bolton disputed President Trump’s North Korea strategy, indicating that he doesn’t believe the hermit nation is interested in surrendering its nuclear weapons.
Speaking at Monday’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, Bolton explained that he is a private citizen now and is free to “speak in unvarnished terms” about what he called a “grave and growing threat.” He warned that North Korea has not made a strategic decision to give up its nuclear weapons despite Trump’s attempt to forge a relationship with leader Kim Jong Un.
“In fact, I think the contrary is true,” Bolton said. “I think the strategic decision that Kim Jong Un is operating through is that he will do whatever he can to keep a deliverable nuclear weapons capability.”
He added, “Under current circumstances he will never give up the nuclear weapons voluntarily.”
Bolton’s words stand in stark contrast to the president’s insistence that talks with Kim have been productive. In June, for example, Trump said the leader has “kept his word” when it comes to nuclear and missile testing. North Korea, however, has given little indication that it is ready to denuclearize.
The former national security adviser’s comments also come just weeks after Bolton’s departure from the Trump administration. Trump announced earlier this month that he had fired Bolton, pointing out that the two disagreed on many foreign policy matters. Bolton, however, later clarified that he had offered his resignation the night before.
