"Only empty words"...Trump attacked the UN at the UN General Assembly

'The Return of American Power' speech

"While I ended 7 wars,

what did the UN do, I should get the Nobel Prize"

Anti-immigration emphasis "If you enter illegally, you will go to prison"

"Climate change is the greatest hoax on earth"

Did not mention North Korea or the Korean Peninsula

President Donald Trump on the 23rd directly criticized the United Nations, saying the UN is not solving global crises but rather exacerbating them. It was at the UN's 80th anniversary special session held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Trump's UN speech was his first in five years since 2020 and the first since the start of his second administration.

◇"Ended seven wars in seven months"

President Trump delivered about an hour-long speech under the theme 'The Return of American Power', pouring out harsh remarks at the UN. In particular, he said, "The UN not only fails to solve the problems it should address, but is creating new problems that should be solved." This repeated his usual claim that 'globalist organizations have greatly weakened the world order.' He also criticized, saying, "The UN has enormous potential but for the most part has not used that potential at all," and "They write stern-toned letters and then there is no follow-up. You cannot solve wars with empty words."

He went on to claim that since taking office he has brought peace to the world by properly using American power. Trump self-praised, saying, "(In the seven months since taking office) I ended seven wars that were thought to be unending." He lists peace agreements such as between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Thailand and Cambodia, and Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as his achievements. Trump criticized, "It is regrettable that I did the work the UN should have done," and "In all cases the UN did not even attempt to help, and I did not receive a single phone call asking me to help reach a negotiation."

In his speech he said that everyone says he should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for such achievements, adding, "The true prize for me is seeing millions no longer die and children grow up with their parents."

But contrary to Trump's claims, the Gaza war and the war in Ukraine are still not over.

Trump especially urged that the whole world should adopt policies that do not accept immigrants, saying that something must be done about this issue on the world stage. He said, "My message is simple," and "If you come into the United States illegally, you will go to prison and you will be sent back to where you came from."

◇Did not mention North Korean nuclear issue

Trump said, "America is a blessed country with a more powerful economy, borders, military, friendships, and spirit than any country on earth," and said that under his administration "America is enjoying a golden age." He said major prices such as energy and food are falling and everything is getting better, and "US$1 trillion in investment is coming into the United States."

On climate change he repeated his existing position that it is "the greatest hoax perpetrated on the world." Trump mocked, saying, "A UN official in 1989 said 'entire countries could disappear from the map due to global warming within 10 years,' but that did not happen."

CNN reported on Trump's speech, saying, "Seven years ago when he (in his first UN speech after taking office) put on his characteristic bravado the UN delegation emitted mocking laughter, but now world leaders are increasingly putting on elaborate flattery to win his favor."

Trump's speech was an extension of 'America First.' Under the Trump administration the United States has been withdrawing from international organizations one after another. Earlier this year it withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization (WHO). Even when maintaining membership, it has effectively not cooperated by not paying funds.

Trump did not mention North Korea or the situation on the Korean Peninsula in his remarks.

Washington=Lee Sang-eun / New York=Park Shin-young correspondents selee@hankyung.com