The White House briefing materials summarizing the outcome of the U.S.-China summit omitted the "denuclearization of North Korea," which had been included during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China four months ago.

This is drawing keen attention as it could reflect President Trump's willingness to resume dialogue with North Korea.

Attention is also focused on whether President Trump may have delivered a message for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un through Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited the United States.

The briefing material distributed by the White House following President Xi's two-day visit starting on the 24th (local time) included under the third subheading, "Building a Safer World for Americans," as the second bullet point: "The U.S. and Chinese leaders discussed global issues such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran."

It was followed by the statement, "They agreed that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons and that no nation or entity can impose tolls in international waters."

In contrast, the White House briefing material released during President Trump's visit to China last May featured Iran as the second bullet point under the first subheading, "Contributing to Peace and Prosperity," while the third bullet point stated, "President Trump and President Xi reaffirmed the shared goal of the denuclearization of North Korea."

Compared to four months ago, the part stating that "the denuclearization of North Korea is a shared goal of the U.S. and China" was omitted this time, with the briefing material only noting that the two leaders discussed North Korea.

While last May's briefing material placed Iran first—including the prohibition of nuclear weapons—followed by a mention of North Korea's denuclearization, this time the discussion topics between the U.S. and Chinese leaders appeared in the order of Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

It is notable that North Korea was placed before Iran.

Although the White House provided no specific explanation in the materials, there is a possibility that President Trump asked President Xi, who holds influence over North Korea, to help facilitate the resumption of dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

President Trump is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Shenzhen, China, in November, prompting speculation that he intends to meet Chairman Kim while visiting the Asian region.

Meeting Chairman Kim on the occasion of APEC would require the cooperation and understanding of China, the host country.

Regarding the omission of North Korea's denuclearization from the White House briefing material, some analyze that it may be an intention to place primary focus on resuming dialogue for now, taking into account Chairman Kim's claim that discussions on denuclearization are out of the question.

Attention is focused on whether there was any message from President Trump sent to Chairman Kim via President Xi during this U.S. visit.

China is expected to brief North Korea soon on the discussions between President Xi and President Trump.

The White House briefing material also noted that the United States and China were allies during World War II.

President Trump made the same remark in his welcoming speech when greeting President Xi at the White House on the 24th, raising concerns in Japan.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)