[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump has given an uncertain response when asked whether he could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China next month. After repeatedly claiming that they would meet within the year, he has suddenly shifted his stance, which is seen as an effort to slow the pace as Pyongyang has shown little response.

Reporting from Washington by correspondent Lee Hanseok.

[Reporter]

Meeting with reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump.

He gave an unexpected answer when asked if he could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of attending the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, next month.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: I get along very well with Kim Jong-un. I get along with him very well, and I don't know who is asking for a meeting, but my relationship with Kim Jong-un is very good.]

While repeatedly emphasizing his personal ties with Chairman Kim, he adopted a reserved attitude regarding the actual holding of a summit, stating that it was unclear whether it was desired.

Just a week ago, President Trump did not hide his expectations regarding the possibility of a meeting with Chairman Kim, saying it could happen and that it would be exciting if it came to fruition.

He even specifically mentioned North Korea's nuclear stockpile and made remarks that virtually seemed to recognize it as a nuclear weapons state, urging unconditional dialogue.

However, despite President Trump's courtship, in which he had previously guaranteed a North Korea-U.S. summit within the year, North Korea maintained silence.

Analysts suggest that as North Korea showed an attitude of trying to shake up the landscape by focusing on military alignment with Russia rather than responding to America's overtures for dialogue, President Trump has also concealed his impatience and begun adjusting his tone.

As President Trump has temporarily slowed the pace, the possibility of a dramatic North Korea-U.S. showdown on the APEC stage has become even more uncertain.

(Photo courtesy of Oh Jung-shik | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek)