Trump Says 'I Don't Know' on Possible Meeting with Kim Jong-un in China Next Month

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 19th (local time) that he "doesn't know" about the possibility of meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Shenzhen, China, in November.

When asked by reporters at the White House whether he thinks he could meet with the North Korean leader in China next month, President Trump replied, "I don't know."

He went on to emphasize his still-close ties, saying, "I get along very well with Chairman Kim Jong-un," while adding, "I'm not sure if anyone is looking for a meeting, but my relationship with Kim Jong-un is very good."

President Trump's remarks on this day are interpreted as differing in tone from his previous stance of sending a "conciliatory message" urging Kim to resume North Korea-U.S. talks without preconditions.

In addition, it is seen as lowering the possibility of a meeting being realized as North Korea has shown little response despite his continuous courtship toward Kim.

Previously, President Trump has explicitly mentioned the number of North Korea's nuclear weapons to make it a fait accompli that North Korea is a nuclear power, while asserting that he would meet with Chairman Kim "within the year."

In particular, during a Q&A session with reporters on the 12th regarding the possibility of meeting Chairman Kim on the occasion of attending the APEC summit, he remarked, "That could happen," and stated that if a meeting with Chairman Kim comes together, "it would be fascinating."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.