Reporter DavidNakamura reflects on becoming the first foreign journalist to have a question answered by Kim Jong Un
By David Nakamura David Nakamura Reporter covering the White House Email Bio Follow February 28 at 2:19 PM HANOI — I’m not sure what prompted Kim Jong Un to answer my question. Maybe North Korea’s once-reclusive leader was ready to take another tentative step forward on the world stage. Perhaps he was trying to demonstrate to President Trump that he was not afraid. Or it could have been the thumbs up sign I flashed him.
“Well, it’s too early to tell, but I wouldn’t say that I’m pessimistic,” the interpreter said, channeling Kim. “From what I feel right now, I do have a feeling that good results will come out.” It is an awesome responsibility, and one that comes with a unique set of challenges. Reporting in the White House “bubble” can be frustrating; presidential aides maintain strict controls, with carefully scripted photo ops and limited access to the boss. We travel around the globe to glitzy foreign capitals and remote outposts, and yet we do so surrounded by the same cast of characters — famous television correspondents, high-ranking government officials, and the president of the United States.
White House aides had sought to ban the U.S. pool reporters from a second photo op Wednesday — allowing in only television cameras and news photographers at the start of the dinner — after two wire service correspondents had shouted out questions to Trump.
I had been warned by American reporters that the North Korean contingent was sharp-elbowed. In fact, as we went through a security sweep — being “wanded” with handheld magnetometers from both Secret Service agents and North Korean security guards — they were not so fearsome. One, toting a Canon camera, chatted amiably with a New York Times photographer, laughing together over Trump having praised the American newsman the day before.
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