N. Korea Still Expanding its Nuclear Weapons Program Despite Promises to Trump

President Trump's assurances that N. Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is trustworthy were undermined yesterday as various US intelligence agencies warned that N. Korea was still expanding its nuclear program despite promises of denuclearization at the recent summit. That isn't especially surprising given N. Korea's history, but it will fuel arguments that Trump's inexperience in foreign relations combined with his shoot-from-the-hip approach to diplomacy is a dangerous mix.

Ellen Mitchel, The Hill: Just two weeks after President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a deal committing the U.S. to security guarantees in exchange for North Korea denuclearizing, satellite images show the country making “rapid” improvements to its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, according to 38 North, which monitors the country.

NBC News also reported on Friday that U.S. intelligence agencies believe North Korea has increased its fuel production for nuclear missiles at several secret research sites, adding officials fear Kim may try to keep the sites hidden amid negotiations with the U.S.

The changes underscore the difficulty for Trump and the United States in counting on North Korea to stick with any commitments, a fact previous presidents in both parties have realized after failed talks with the country.

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