US official confirms no Trump-Kim meeting planned during Asia visit, despite South Korean minister suggesting considerable possibility.
WASHINGTON: A senior US official confirmed that President Donald Trump has no scheduled meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming Asia trip.
The anonymous official stated Trump remains willing to meet Kim in the future but not during next week’s visit to South Korea.
This clarification comes despite South Korea’s unification minister suggesting a “considerable” chance of such a meeting occurring.
Trump will visit South Korea on Wednesday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.
Unification minister Chung Dong-young noted North Korea appears to be paying attention to various signs from the United States.
US media reports indicate administration officials have privately discussed arranging another Trump-Kim meeting.
Trump last held talks with Kim in 2019 during his first presidential term.
The US president has publicly expressed hope to meet Kim again this year.
Kim Jong Un recently stated he had “fond memories” of Trump and remained open to dialogue.
North Korea’s leader conditioned talks on the United States dropping its demand for Pyongyang to abandon nuclear weapons.
Seoul urged both leaders not to let this potential opportunity “slip away.”
Chung emphasized not wanting to miss even a one percent chance for dialogue.
South Korea’s unification ministry handles the country’s complex relations with North Korea.
Chung concluded that both leaders need to make a decision regarding potential talks. – AFP
