US President Donald Trump is open to a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, such a meeting is not planned during his tour of Asia. This was stated by a senior US official, quoted by Al Jazeera.
The American head of state does not rule out such a meeting taking place in the near future.
Speaking to reporters before his departure for Asia, Trump stressed that he would like to meet with Kim, but he is not sure if it will happen. He knows I am going there, the American president explained. Trump said he gets along well with the North Korean leader and is open to such a meeting.
South Korea's unification minister said he believes there is a significant chance Trump will meet with Kim Jong Un while he is in the South Korean city of Gyeongju for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
North Korea is paying attention to the United States and various signs point to a significant opportunity for a meeting, Chung Dong-yong said. He urged the two leaders not to miss the opportunity.
The US president and Kim Jong Un met three times during Trump's first term, with both leaders expressing interest in meeting again in recent months. The North Korean leader has said he is open to talks with the US if Washington stops pressuring his country to give up its nuclear weapons program.