[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously claimed he would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within the year, has taken a step back, stating that he is unsure whether a meeting will take place on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China next month. It appears North Korea's response has not quite matched expectations.

Correspondent Lee Hanseok reports from Washington.

[Reporter]

Meeting with reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump gave an unexpected response when asked if he could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of the APEC summit to be held 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 rapport with Chairman Kim, he shifted to a reserved stance regarding the actual holding of a meeting, saying it is unclear whether it is wanted.

Just a week ago, President Trump made no effort to hide his expectations regarding the possibility of a meeting with Chairman Kim, stating that it could happen and that it would be thrilling if it came to fruition.

He even explicitly mentioned North Korea's nuclear stockpile and made remarks that practically seemed to recognize it as a nuclear-armed state, urging unconditional dialogue.

However, despite President Trump's courtship, which had guaranteed a North Korea-U.S. summit within the year, North Korea has maintained a silent response.

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

With President Trump opting to slow the pace for now, the possibility of a dramatic North Korea-U.S. showdown on the APEC stage has become increasingly uncertain.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Video by Oh Jung-shik | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek)