During his upcoming trip to Asia, Donald Trump has expressed a desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump indicated his openness to a meeting, stating, “If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it.” He mentioned having had a positive relationship with Kim in the past.
Trump previously made headlines as the first sitting U.S. president to enter North Korea during their meetings in 2019. His forthcoming trip will include visits to Malaysia and Japan, where he is scheduled to meet several world leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping, amid ongoing trade negotiations influenced by recent tariffs imposed by Trump.
Historically, Trump has taken a unique approach to North Korea, which is a largely isolated and totalitarian state. The two leaders met three times during Trump’s presidency but failed to establish a denuclearization agreement. North Korea has since conducted several intercontinental missile tests, raising concerns among neighboring countries. When asked about recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state, Trump remarked, “I think they are sort of a nuclear power.”
Kim Jong Un has signaled willingness for another meeting with Trump, contingent on the U.S. ceasing its demands for North Korea to abandon its nuclear arsenal. In a recent speech, Kim stated he still remembers Trump positively. South Korea’s Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, noted a “considerable” chance for a meeting while Trump is in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, although a senior U.S. official mentioned no such meeting is scheduled.
Trump’s itinerary begins with a stop in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. He is expected to visit Busan, South Korea, where he will also meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to discuss peace on the Korean peninsula and the potential for a meeting between Trump and Kim. The backdrop of Trump’s meeting with Xi includes ongoing trade tensions, with both leaders currently seeking a trade agreement amid threats of increased tariffs from the U.S.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn09gg8v721o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss