In 1999 President Clinton recognised Pyongyang’s desire for survival and economic benefits, and persuaded N Korea to give up its nuclear programme. However, they could not agree on verification procedures. In 2002 President George W Bush said ‘no verification, no agreement’. Shortly afterwards he opted for bellicose rhetoric branding N Korea as part of the “Axis of evil”. N Korea then left the NPT and started its nuclear tests. It's time for Trump and Kim Jong-un to tone down the rhetoric, step back and let the situation cool down. Then back to the negotiating table. No diplomacy, no resolution. QuinnDiplomacy.com