You've done a good analysis. My complements! I largely agree with you that Trump's different approach than that of his predecessors seems to be yielding results. However, I remain cautious, because Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, also was Mr. Happy-face in the mid 1990s while he was convincing Clinton to participate in an agreement that ultimately got us into the situation we're in today. Despite harboring some skepticism, I think there could be a way forward that essentially plays on Kim's greed. He may be a complete psychopath, but he's not stupid. He can see that China's path has yielded a lot more material wealth for the Chinese elite than North Korea enjoys. Kim may wish to secure his regime by increasing the wealth of the North Korean elite. Kim can trade the dismantling of his nuclear program for massive investment from South Korea, the USA and others. He may do that, but he is clever and he may have an entirely different objective. We shall find out in the next few weeks if there's cause for optimism.
there is reason for optimism because the Trump brand is different from the appeasement of the past. rocket man saw the writting on the wall and played the reasonable script. he is such a smart cookie, you know.
They didnt do that the last 30 years and now they have satellites and nukes.
Why would they want to do it now?
US cannot do anything - a war with a nuclear armed NK would destroy most of SK and most of SEA would be radioactive which would kill the global economy and force most US Americans to work for mc donalds.

Basically the US is a sinking ship and china is soon nr 1.
Kim is just buying time...