The end of World War-II brought to the global forefront a new regional conflict with North and South Koreas locking themselves in a continuous tussle. Both countries also played a major role during the Cold War. However, following the Cold War, the two countries again locked horns to prove their dominance in the region. However, ice between these two countries broke when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. In a historic event, occurring during the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit on Friday, 27 April 2018, Kim Jong Un walked at the North Korea-South Korea border and shook hands with Moon Jae-in. This handshake was followed by both leaders stepping on either side of the border in a moment that was impossible to perceive even a year ago. While this was the third Inter-Korean Summit and the first to be held in eleven years, it was also the first time since the end of the Korean War in 1953 that the leader of North Korea crossed the border to set foot on South Korean soil. While the purpose of this Summit was to bring both Korean nations on the same page, it heralded for both countries to focus on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Moreover, the Summit also proved a significant milestone as both countries signed the Panmunjom Declaration for peace, prosperity and unification of the Korean Peninsula. While this declaration suggests both countries to remove their nuclear weapons, it also entails for both leaders to bring the Korean War to a complete end. Moreover, now with the Panmunjom Declaration in effect, both countries are expected to shun their animosity and hatred for each other and work in collaboration to bring peace in the region. However, with the new era of peace, prosperity, reconciliation and a new wave of diplomatic growth between the two Korean countries, it is yet to be seen how the United States views the aftereffects of the Panmunjom Declaration. The US, especially under the reign of former President Barack Obama and the current President Donald Trump, have had rough and rickety relations with North Korea, particularly with how the North Korean Supreme Leader has shunned all dictation and demands coming from Washington to control its nuclear programmes. However, now that the North and South Koreas have made a move to set aside their animosity, Russia has pledged to facilitate cooperation between Pyongyang and Seoul. Perhaps this is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy to foster healthy diplomatic ties with North Korea, for Moscow did have good relations with South Korea but could not follow suit with North. Now that North Korea is following a diplomatic way of ending its acrimony against South Korea and has also decided to denuclearise itself, this will, to some extent, affect Donald Trump’s game plan against Kim Jong-un However, Trump, to remain successful in the eyes of the world, would need to assert his opinion on Kim Jong Un in completely ending North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Furthermore, despite Kim Jong-un signing the Panmunjom Declaration and bolstering ties with South Korea, he may take time to reinforce his ties with Washington. Donald Trump, in the past, has taken names for Kim Jong-un and have insulted the North Korean leader publically, which have already brought US-North Korean ties on thin ice at many occasions. Trump, however, took little time in welcoming the historic moment at the Inter-Korean Summit. However, now that North Korea is following a diplomatic way of ending its acrimony against South Korea and has also decided to denuclearise itself, this will, to some extent, affect Donald Trump’s game plan against Kim Jong-Un. While President Trump, ever since holding office, has viewed North Korea as a difficult country to counter, he cannot order for a military action against Kim Jong-un’s government now that the North Korean leader has decided to reduce its nuclear engagements. Moreover, Trump will not need to exercise his power or influence to bring North Korea to the bargaining table since North Korea has already turned off the switch that was causing alarm in Washington. This, however, has reduced Trump’s hegemony over North Korea to a greater extent. It will be revealed in future how Washington moves on with its ties with South Korea now that Seoul is harbouring positive intentions with Washington’s nemesis, North Korea. The writer is a columnist and author of You Rise Today!, available at Amazon Published in Daily Times, May 3rd 2018.