Trump Open to Meeting Kim Jong Un During Asia Trip

President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming trip to Asia, which includes a stop in South Korea. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump stated, “I’d be open to it, 100%. I got along very well with him, Kim Jong Un.” The meeting could potentially take place at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.

During the conversation, Trump noted some of the challenges in communicating with North Korea, highlighting, “They don’t have a lot of telephone service. They have a lot of nuclear weapons, but not a lot of telephone service.” He mentioned that he could “put out the word” to indicate his openness to a meeting, emphasizing the need for dialogue.

Trump also acknowledged North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, saying, “I think they are sort of a nuclear power. I mean, I know how many weapons they have. I know everything about them and I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un.” His comments come as South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young urged both leaders to “make a bold decision,” according to a report by Reuters.

Past Engagements and Current Policy

A White House official reminded the press that Trump and Kim previously met during his first term, which included three historic summits aimed at stabilizing the Korean Peninsula. The official stated, “U.S. policy on North Korea has not changed. President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong Un, but such a meeting is not currently on the schedule for this trip.”

Earlier in the month, another official reiterated Trump’s openness to discussions without preconditions. The week-long trip also includes visits to Malaysia and Japan, with a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Trump and Kim’s first meeting in June 2018 marked a historic moment as it was the first-ever summit between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The summit in Singapore produced a joint statement reflecting on a “comprehensive, in-depth, and sincere exchange of opinions” regarding U.S.-North Korea relations. Subsequent meetings, including one in Hanoi in February 2019, ended without a formal agreement.

In June 2019, Trump made history again by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to step into North Korean territory during a meeting at the DMZ, where he and Kim shook hands. At that time, Trump expressed a commitment to revive negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear program, indicating that he was focused on getting the terms right rather than rushing to finalize a deal.

As Trump embarks on this significant trip, the potential for renewed dialogue with North Korea remains a focal point, with many watching to see if the opportunity will materialize into a formal meeting.