Chung Dong-young: "Analysis That Trump's Social Media Photo Signals Personal Letter Exchange Holds Merit"

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated that the analysis suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump's recent posting of a 2018 North Korea-U.S. summit photo on Truth Social could be a signal of "personal letter diplomacy" holds merit.

Minister Chung made the remarks today (June 22) during his opening address at the International Forum on the Korean Peninsula held at the Bankers Club in Jung-gu, Seoul, adding, "I hope that North Korea-U.S. contact and dialogue will be set in motion once again."

Minister Chung noted that "the interpretation by Professor Lee Jeong-cheol of Seoul National University is impressive," and shared the professor's view that "it is possible that a personal letter from Chairman Kim Jong-un arrived quietly around the time of President Trump's birthday, and he may have posted the photo in response to that," before adding, "I think that holds merit."

Regarding President Trump's posting of the photo, President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 19th that he had discussed the matter with President Trump on the sidelines of the recent G7 summit and relayed his explanation.

President Lee conveyed that President Trump confirmed he was the one who posted the photo and remarked that it is time to pay attention to the North Korean issue.

He also mentioned that "(President Trump) expressed frustration regarding North Korea-U.S. dialogue" and asked him, "What is the way forward?"

(Photo: Courtesy of the Ministry of Unification, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.