No one has transformed his image in South Korea as dramatically as US President Donald Trump. He was regarded as the epitome of a madman from his inauguration in January 2017 to early 2018. He knocked on the doors of a Korean Armageddon, threatening to unleash “fire and fury” on North Korea and to “totally destroy” the country, even referring explicitly to his “nuclear button.” These were instruments of fear mongering. He displayed a classic version of coercive diplomacy: if you fear me, do as I say.