Interview with John Bolton on North Korea, S. Korea-U.S. Alliance, and Trump’s return

존 볼튼, 북핵•한미동맹•트럼프 복귀를 말하다 Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. More than a year into President Trump’s second term, the world is already feeling the impact of a dramatically different American posture, marked by a harder line on China, a more transactional approach to alliances, and renewed questions about the future of nuclear diplomacy. From intensifying military activity in the Indo-Pacific, to deepening ties between Pyongyang, Moscow, and Beijing,.. to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the international order is under real pressure. So, in this shifting environment, how are U.S. allies, especially South Korea, positioning themselves? And how might Washington’s next moves reshape the balance we’ve known for decades? To help us unpack those questions, we’re joined today by someone who’s shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades: John Bolton, former Ambassador to the United Nations and Former National Security Advisor to President Trump. A very big welcome. 1. So, Ambassador, we want to start by hearing your personal philosophy. You’ve served across multiple administrations, from President Reagan to President Trump—helping shape U.S. foreign and national security policy. What’s the guiding principle that’s anchored your approach to diplomacy and national security over the years? 2. Then if there’s one moment that could have put that philosophy to the test, it might be the 2019 Hanoi Summit. You were right there when the summit collapsed. What did that experience tell you about how North Korea negotiates? 3. Then Fast forward seven years—President Trump is back in office. And we’re once again talking about North Korea. Do you think North Korea will be a real priority for him this time around? And if another summit were to happen, what needs to be different? 4. Of course, President Trump also shifted the U.S. approach to economic diplomacy. His use of tariffs as a strategic tool is dealing a big blow to allies and global markets. Where do you see that strategy heading now—especially as economic policy continues to play a role in national security? 5. Let’s bring it to South Korea. At last year’s summit with President Trump, President Lee Jae Myung described himself as a “pace-setter” in the process. And if I’m not mistaken, you spoke quite positively about that meeting at the time. Do you think that kind of mediating role could actually help rebuild trust—or reopen dialogue—between the U.S. and North Korea? 6. Still, the regional landscape is far more complex than it was just a few years ago. With deepening ties between North Korea and Russia, and growing strategic competition between the U.S. and China, the very framework of alliances seems to be shifting. In that context, what do you think is the single most important thing the Seoul-Washington alliance needs to stay strong? 7. And that brings us to the military side of the equation. The U.S. is reinforcing its posture along the First Island Chain, and Seoul is still in talks over OPCON transfer. Given all that, what should the role of U.S. Forces Korea look like going forward? And what’s the right way to maintain credible deterrence on the Peninsula? 8. If we zoom out a bit further, the Arctic is suddenly back on the radar. Greenland came up in the headlines again recently. What do you see as the biggest strategic challenge in that region right now? 9. And then there’s also Europe. The Russia–Ukraine war is now in its fourth year, with no clear end in sight. Ambassador, what do you think is keeping this conflict from moving toward resolution, and do you see any realistic off-ramp? 10. And of course, that’s just one part of a much broader picture. We’re living in a world of simultaneous, overlapping crises. If you had one message for today’s foreign policy leaders, one principle to keep in mind what would it be? We’ll have to leave our conversation here for now. Ambassador. Bolton—thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us tonight. It’s been a real privilege, and I hope we’ll have the chance to continue this conversation sometime down the road. That’s all from us on Within the Frame. Be sure to tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter. Until then, stay informed and engaged. #UnitedStates #President #DonaldTrump #Diplomacy #NorthKorea #Nuclear #Alliance #JohnBolton #미국 #대통령 #도널드트럼프 #한미동맹 #북한 #핵 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook :   / arirangtvnews   📣 Youtube :    / channel   📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/ 2026-02-11, 20:30 (KST)