Trump criticises Nobel decision, claims he is preventing war between the Koreas
In short
US President Donald Trump criticised the Nobel Committee at an October 9 rally in Syracuse after this year's peace prize went to Navi Pillay. He claimed he was preventing wars between South Korea and North Korea, Japan and North Korea, and China and Taiwan, without providing supporting evidence, Newsis reported.
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US President Donald Trump criticised the Nobel Committee and Norway during an October 9 midterm election rally in Syracuse, New York, after this year's Nobel Peace Prize went to Navi Pillay. Trump said the United States, which he represented as president, should have received the award and described the decision as an indelible stain on Norway and those responsible. He also said he had never heard of Pillay. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Trump claimed he had ended eight wars and said each should have earned a separate Nobel Prize. He cited conflicts including India and Pakistan, Israel and Hamas, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Kosovo and Serbia. He also claimed he was continually preventing wars between South Korea and North Korea, Japan and North Korea, and China and Taiwan. Newsis reported that he presented no evidence to support those claims about preventing conflict. [ 2 , 4 ]
He said he would also quickly resolve the Iran and Ukraine wars. Speaking about Iran, Trump said it would either give the United States everything or cease to exist. He accused the Nobel Peace Prize of losing credibility because of radical ideologues and said the United States would not forget Norway's decision to withhold the award. [ 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Pillay, a South African human rights law expert, previously served as UN high commissioner for human rights and an ICC judge. Chosun Ilbo reported that the Nobel Committee cited her role in ensuring punishment for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The newspaper also reported that the Trump administration announced sanctions against the ICC hours after the award announcement, while AP said the sanctions had been prepared beforehand. [ 4 , 5 ]
Kukmin Ilbo reported that the sanctions expanded previous measures against individual ICC judges and prosecutors to the court as a whole, freezing its assets in the United States or under US ownership or control. According to Chosun Ilbo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concern on October 10, saying Japan supported the ICC and would continue discussions with Washington and support for the court. [ 1 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Trump's remarks extended his criticism of the Nobel decision to Norway and claimed a role in preventing conflict in East Asia. His administration also announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court, prompting Japan's prime minister to express concern.
Key facts
- Trump criticised the Nobel Committee during an October 9 midterm election rally in Syracuse, New York. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- This year's Nobel Peace Prize went to Navi Pillay, a former UN human rights chief and ICC judge. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Trump claimed he had ended eight wars and deserved a peace prize for each. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Trump claimed he was preventing conflict between the Koreas, Japan and North Korea, and China and Taiwan; Newsis said he offered no supporting evidence. [ 4 ]
- The Trump administration expanded sanctions from ICC personnel to the court as an institution. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reported that Japan's prime minister expressed concern about the ICC sanctions on October 10. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump criticised the Nobel decision at an October 9 rally in Syracuse. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Pillay received this year's Nobel Peace Prize and previously served as UN human rights chief and an ICC judge. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Trump claimed he was preventing war between South Korea and North Korea. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Trump administration announced sanctions against the ICC. [ 1 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Trump's claim that he prevented wars in East Asia. Newsis reported that he offered no supporting evidence for the claims involving the Koreas, Japan and North Korea, and China and Taiwan.
- Whether all eight conflicts Trump claimed to have ended were wars that had been resolved. Kyunghyang Shinmun cited the Guardian as saying some were not actual wars and some remained unresolved.
- The timing of Pillay's selection. Kukmin Ilbo places the award on October 9, while Kyunghyang Shinmun says the committee selected her the day before Trump's October 9 rally.