In one of his most notable appearances since leaving office, President Donald Trump participated in a virtual rally on Saturday that included numerous current and former national leaders. In the digital “Rally of Hope,” Trump called for global unity and cooperation in promoting international peace. He specifically reiterated his desire to see the permanent denuclearization of North Korea.
Trump said that the door to dialogue with the North Korean government in Pyongyang remains open after his administration’s moves to further the prospects of the reunification of North and South Korea.
He said that until the “blessed day” of reunification comes, a strong America remains the “indispensable force for peace” on the Korean Peninsula.
Referencing Joe Biden’s recent disastrous withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan, Trump said, “weakness only invites more violence and chaos.”
The virtual rally was organized by the Universal Peace Foundation and included participants from all parts of the world to combat poverty, discrimination, and oppression.
The organizers said the rally was designed to have a broad cross-section of leaders examine “all aspects of North and South Korea.”
The rally also addressed China’s aggression toward Taiwan and the entire Pacific region.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe said that passionate leaders are needed to “achieve solidarity between countries sharing freedom and democracy” and accomplish Korean reunification.
President Trump is likely the most influential U.S. official in recent years regarding the movement to achieve permanent Korean peace. He spent significant time and political capital to break open discussions between North and South Korea.
He moved away from recent Korean policy to isolate the Pyongyang government by meeting face to face with North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-un. From their 2018 meeting in Singapore, Trump pressed forward for their second meeting in Vietnam and a face-to-face meeting at the infamous Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea.
Throughout his presidency, Trump attempted to reach a lasting agreement with North Korea. They would stop their nuclear weapons program in exchange for relief from economic penalties and the complete trade embargo that cripples that country’s economy.
Trump said Saturday that although such a deal was not completed during his term, the foundation remains in place for future negotiations, and he remains “full of hope for the future.”
