Promises, Promises!☎

My name is Daniel. I was an English teacher in Seoul, South Korea, and am now a writer who has

published three books including South Korea: Our Story by Daniel Nardini.

                             One thing I have learned is to be careful what politicians promise. In the 2016

American presidential campaign, then candidate for president Donald Trump promised that he would

"Make America Great Again." A nice promise, but one in my view that cannot be fulfilled. He promised that

he would work hard to bring back American jobs and create more American jobs so that Americans will be 

able to have the good high paying jobs that existed 50 to 60 years ago. In my view, simple economics 

trumps (excuse the pun!) campaign promises. One example of this is the iphone. Currently manufactured in

China, it is likely they will be made in Vietnam or Bangladesh next because the wages are lower in these

two countries, and the margin for profit greater. And that is the bottom line for corporations---less costs

and higher profits. This is why I do not see what once existed in America a log time ago. Likewise, I 

cannot believe for one second any of the promises being made by Moon Jae-in. He promises he will

negotiate a peace treaty with North Korea, try and create more jobs for young people, renegotiate the

comfort women agreement with Japan, and work to fight corruption. First, North Korea cannot be trusted

to keep its word on any agreement it ever made. This is why it is such a dangerous, unstable country. 

Second, trying to create more jobs is all nice and fine but was not accomplished by any of Moon's

predecessors. How will Moon be anymore successful? Finally, trying to renegotiate an agreement that

both Japan and South Korea agreed upon is only asking to make worse relations with Japan at a time

when South Korea needs an ally against North Korea. In the end, we all have to be careful about

balancing promises by various politicians with reality.