▲ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated local time yesterday that U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, though no schedule has been finalized for a summit.
Speaking at a press conference held on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Secretary Rubio said, "The president's view is that if Chairman Kim is ready to discuss the issues of concern to our allies like the United States and South Korea, he is open to that."
He added, "As President Trump has stated publicly and repeatedly, he is ready for such talks."
Rubio noted, "No meetings have been scheduled yet. We have no announcements to make regarding that today."
Recalling that President Trump held two summits with Chairman Kim during his first term, he emphasized, "If productive outcomes can come from such talks, I believe President Trump would be willing to resume them."
Furthermore, Rubio remarked, "I know that in traditional foreign policy, meeting with someone or inviting them to an event is sometimes viewed as a concession that legitimizes the other party," adding, "The president does not view dialogue or a meeting as a concession."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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