Graham says Trump may deserve Nobel Peace Prize for denuclearization in NK

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Friday that President Trump would deserve a Nobel Peace Prize if he successfully negotiated the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

In an interview with Fox News, Graham argued that if Trump is able to secure a promise from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearize at a summit later this year, the president would deserve the coveted award once given to his predecessor in 2009.

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“It wouldn’t have happened without Trump,” Graham said Friday.

“What happened? Donald Trump convinced North Korea and China he was serious about bringing about change,” the South Carolina Republican added. “We’re not there yet, but if this happens, President Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Graham went on to warn that Kim was making a “mistake” if he attempted to swindle the Trump administration and continue the country’s controversial missile program, saying such an action would lead to war.

“A word of warning: The worst thing Kim Jong Un could do is play Trump,” Graham said. “To go through all these motions and go back to the old way of doing business, Donald Trump will not tolerate being played.”

“We’re either going to have peace or we’re going to have a war now because Kim Jong Un has made a mistake if he’s not serious,” he added.

Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to end the Korean War and formally begin talks with the aim of “complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” according to an Associated Press report of historic talks occurring Friday.

Trump celebrated the news on Twitter early Friday morning, declaring that “time will tell” if North Korea is serious about denuclearization but praising the first steps of the agreement. He is set to meet with Kim, the first meeting of its kind for a U.S. president, later this year.

“After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell!” Trump tweeted.

“KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!” the president added in a second message.