Trump White House debates presidential visit to demilitarized zone along North Korean border

By David Nakamura October 18 at 5:59 PM

It has become the ultimate symbol of American resolve against the threat of North Korea: a visit by the U.S. commander in chief to “freedom’s frontier,” the heavily guarded demilitarized zone that has separated the North and South for 64 years.

Wearing bomber-style jackets, surrounded by military officers, peering through binoculars, all but one president since Ronald Reagan have gazed across the barren strip of land at the 38th parallel from an observation post where they’ve been moved to talk tough. In April, Vice President Pence, undertaking the same solemn ritual, said he toured the DMZ so the North Koreans could “see our resolve in my face.” But as President Trump prepares for a 12-day swing through five Asian nations next month to bolster international pressure on Pyongyang, the administration is divided over whether he should make the pilgrimage, an issue that remains unresolved. Some aides worry a visit could further inflame already heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, while others have expressed concern over Trump’s personal safety, according to people who have spoken to administration officials.

Asian foreign policy veterans of both the Obama and George W. Bush administrations said it would be foolish for Trump not to go. But the White House is facing opposition from South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s administration and the U.S. State Department over fears that a visit would ratchet up Trump’s war of words with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

A White House spokesman declined to comment, saying the administration was not ready to release the full itinerary for Trump’s trip, which is scheduled to last from Nov. 3 to Nov. 14.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-white-house-debates-presidential-visit-to-demilitarized-zone-along-north-korean-border/2017/10/18/7ea122f6-b415-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html