A senior U.S. official has stated that U.S. President Donald Trump is willing to engage not only in a face-to-face meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but also in a phone call.

Speaking during a telephone briefing held on the 18th (local time) ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit, the senior official responded to a question about whether President Trump might use the upcoming U.S.-China summit as a stepping stone for future talks with Kim by saying, "The president's message has already been delivered quite publicly."

The official added, "President Trump is prepared to talk with Kim Jong-un, whether by phone or in person," and noted, "I believe the ball is very much in North Korea's court now."

However, the official did not comment on what kind of cooperation President Trump might ask of President Xi regarding North Korea-U.S. dialogue during the U.S.-China summit.

Attention is focused on whether President Trump will seek to resume dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang on the occasion of his summit with President Xi on the 24th.

(Photo: Yonhap News)