Local news reports have suggested the US president could visit the heavily fortified border which it is feared North Korea will view as a threat. Despite rising tensions between the neighbours the DMZ remains a popular destination that sees many tourists technically passing into North Korea by entering a hut where the armistice was signed. In 1983 President Ronald Reagan, who Trump has long admired, took a tour of the area. Now there have been calls for Trump to carry out the provocative trip as a show of strength. But concerns have been raised the move could provoke retaliation from the isolated dictatorship amid soaring tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Sue Mi Terry, a former Korea analyst, said: "They're seeing almost everything as a threat. "They already see him as a very provocative person. "Anything that he does will be continually seen that way." The 160-mile long border divides the Korean peninsula from coast to coast. It is one of the most built up military borders in the world with a million soldiers standing guard, millions of landmines and conventional artillery.
US officials hope a visit would send a pointed message to the troops from both sides who patrol the border that the US is committed to the defence of South Korea. Former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said: “The DMZ functions as a kind of amplifier. “The message takes on a more martial and ominous tone when it comes out of a military command post on North Korea’s doorstep." The South Korean visit is planned for November 7-8 will form part of a 12-day tour through five Asian countries. Asian foreign policy experts have claimed a visit to the DMZ would be “foolish” and the idea also faces opposition from South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Asked if a visit to the DMZ would provoke Pyongyang, Trump said: “I didn’t hear in terms of provoking, but we will certainly take a look at that.” The US President is no stranger to provoking the North Korean leader who he has dubbed “Little Rocket Man”.
During a speech to the United Nations Trump threatened to “totally destroy” the hermit kingdom if they threaten the US or its allies. Kim Jong-Un has launched his own attacks at Trump and the US, threatening to launch nuclear weapons against the US mainland and branded the US President “mentally deranged”.
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