As Donald Trump makes increasing diplomatic gains on the Korean peninsula, South Korean President Moon Jae-in is calling for Donald Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

With the polarising president aggrieving many across the political divide,  the prospect of Trump becoming a peace prize recipient hasn’t sat well with many.

But according to Richard McGregor from the Lowy Institute, the debate is premature and commentators have jumped the gun.

“It is indeed a case of racing fate to the finish line. I don’t think we’re quite in Nobel Peace Prize territory yet,” he says.

“Peace hasn’t yet happened. He hasn’t given up his bombs and he hasn’t given up his missiles. We need to wait a little bit before we start giving out prizes.”

Given that the North Korean autocrat has offered up reneged denuclearisation assurances before, Mr McGregor warns that we should approach Kim Jong-un’s assertions with caution.

“This is the start of the process, not the end,” he says.

Former US President Barack Obama’s status as a peace prize recipient is said to be complicating things, with many using his award to suggest Trump is equally as deserving.

“The fact that Obama got it prematurely and without merit means this becomes a US internal political issue.”

“It shows you what a dumb decision it was.”

Download this podcast here