[Correspondent Column] Did Bolton Really Write His Memoir for the Country?

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] February 28 last year, Hanoi, Vietnam. Numerous journalists from around the world were watching the 2nd North Korea-US summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un when someone suddenly appeared, surprising everyone. It was John Bolton, then White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor. There was a shared sentiment that "he shouldn't be there."

Just a year earlier, he was responsible for US national security, yet his physique was very small. Known by many nicknames such as a hardline conservative who only looks after American national interests, an icon of conservatism, and a super hawk, his appearance was nothing more than that of a frail old man. He even resorted to "tricks" to avoid conscription and participation in the Vietnam War. In Korean terms, he was a crafty draft dodger.

Five months later, I saw him again in Seoul. When he visited Korea in July last year, his shoulders were tense. After years on the sidelines, he had secured a key position in the administration. Holding immense power to push attacks against US adversaries such as Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela, it was understandable.

When President Trump appointed Bolton, who had mentioned the idea of a preemptive strike on North Korea, there was great concern about the "chemistry" between the two.

As controversy grew, President Trump personally emphasized that "(Bolton) promised to follow my orders," assuring there would be no problem with his appointment. As a businessman, Trump has always highlighted his deal-making skills. Whether sincere or not, he has acted erratically to achieve his goals.

Since Trump's rise, the US has been stepping back from wars. Although Trump often talks big, he has not engaged in any wars. This is why it was impossible for Bolton, who wanted war, to align with President Trump from the start.

The reporter now encounters Bolton again in New York. Bolton's memoir, "The Room Where It Happened," is causing a huge stir even before its official release. While his 2007 book also attracted attention, it was nothing like this.

Many are paying attention to Bolton's revelations, but that does not mean they support his actions. The mainstream American view is that if Bolton wanted to attack President Trump, he should have done so when there was an opportunity for impeachment.

There is a negative perception that he ignored the decisive chance for impeachment and instead launched an offensive through a lucrative book. It is uncertain whether he will be welcomed by neoconservatives either. A diplomatic insider questioned, "Can the neocons really vote for Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, as Bolton claims?"

Bolton's current image reads as a petty move to embarrass his former boss who fired him while making money for himself. This raises doubts about whether he truly wrote the book for the country’s benefit. Shortly after his dismissal last year, he visited Korea as an investment lobbyist. It is also known that he received a $2 million advance for this memoir. He did not forget to stir up attention with a broadcast interview just before the book’s publication.

This is not his first nostalgic act. After completing his mission as US Ambassador to the United Nations in 2007, he wrote a book titled "Surrender Is Not an Option," which was similar in nature.

Although President Trump is accused of harming national interests for reelection, that is only the neoconservative stance. Neocons have consistently opposed an era of peace between North Korea and the US, and between the US and Iran.

Their true nature is to desire conflict instead of peace. At this point, it is hard to shake the thought that uncritically accepting Bolton’s unverified claims harms national interests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.