South Korea’s Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, has hinted that there’s a real possibility of former U.S. President Donald Trump meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during Trump’s upcoming visit to Asia.
President Trump is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in South Korea next week and according to Seoul officials, this could open the door for a long-awaited reunion with Kim.
Trump, who has repeatedly expressed interest in rekindling dialogue with the North Korean leader since returning to political prominence, last met Kim in 2019, just before leaving the White House. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest Trump recently reaffirmed his desire to sit down with Kim “soon maybe even this year.”
Interestingly, Kim Jong-un was quoted last month saying he still has “fond memories” of his earlier meetings with Trump, adding that he’s open to discussions if Washington abandons what Pyongyang calls its “delusional” demand for nuclear disarmament.
Minister Chung emphasized that both sides should not waste this potential breakthrough, saying, “I don’t want to miss even a one percent chance. They need to make a decision.”
Although no official meeting has been confirmed, South Korea and the United Nations Command have reportedly suspended tours at the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) fueling speculation that preparations might already be underway.
According to Chung, North Korean troops were recently seen cleaning and tidying up around Panmunjom something not observed since early this year. Local media outlets, including The Daily Mail, described soldiers weeding, painting, and taking photographs in areas typically reserved for high-profile visits.
President Trump has also spoken warmly about his past interactions with Kim, telling Fox News earlier this year, “I got along with him. He’s not a fanatic. He’s a smart guy.”
Meanwhile, tensions in Eastern Europe have added a new twist to the story. Ukrainian officials recently claimed to have intelligence showing North Korean soldiers assisting Russian forces in attacks against Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast.
A video released by Ukraine’s military appears to show North Korean troops operating drones and coordinating rocket fire from Russian-controlled Kursk. Kyiv believes around 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed there following a deal between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.
If confirmed, this development could significantly affect U.S.–North Korea relations and may influence whether Trump and Kim can once again meet at the negotiating table.
Comments
Post a Comment