[actsasbuffoon]

Let's also not forget that North Korea's nuclear weapons facilities were recently damaged in an earthquake.

As we say in finance, if you think the world undervalues a thing then you buy it, and if you think the world overvalues a thing then you sell it. Kim's weapons program suffered a significant setback, making it less valuable in his eyes. Meanwhile the rest of the world still places a high value on getting Kim to abandon the program.

In other words, Kim probably has more to gain from abandoning the program than he does from trying to repair the damage. Even if we had a sack of potatoes in the White House, it still makes sense for Kim to try to make a peace deal right now.

[joezydeco]

Let's also not forget that North Korea's nuclear weapons facilities were recently damaged in an earthquake.

No, their test facilities were damaged. It was a hole in a mountain used to test their warheads, and the hole in the mountain has collapsed.

NK completely retains the ability to produce and launch warheads if they want.

More than likely NK doesn't need to test their weapons anymore. They're a fully capable nuclear power now and they will be bringing that fact to the negotiating table.