US Officials Clarify: Trump's Asia Trip Will Not Include a Meeting with Kim Jong-un
US officials on Friday, October 24, stated that a meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un "is not included in the current Asia trip schedule." Previously, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young called on President Trump during his upcoming Asia visit to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, urging both sides to seize this rare "opportunity for peace."
According to AFP, regarding rumors about the possible resumption of the "Trump-Kim" summit, a US official said on Friday that President Trump does not have a scheduled meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his upcoming Asia visit.
The official told reporters at a press briefing, "Although President Trump has expressed a desire to meet with Kim Jong-un in the near future, there is no such meeting scheduled as part of this Asia trip."
Trump is set to depart for a five-day Asia tour on Friday, including South Korea. This statement also clarifies speculation about a potential "Trump-Kim" meeting during his stay in Seoul.
According to Reuters, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young called on Trump during his upcoming Asia visit to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday, October 24. Chung Dong-young is the highest decision-making official in the South Korean government responsible for inter-Korean affairs. He stated that Trump's upcoming visit to South Korea is a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," which could help elevate North Korea's international status and promote its economic development.
Chung Dong-young told South Korean media on Friday, "The leaders of the two countries should not miss this opportunity," and "they need to make bold decisions."
Trump met with Kim Jong-un three times during his previous presidential term, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement on North Korea's nuclear program. The main points of contention were the steps and scope of sanctions relief and the dismantling of nuclear facilities.
South Korean officials, including President Yoon Suk-yeol, are skeptical about whether a new Trump-Kim summit may take place next week, but they also stated that if it happens, it would be a positive signal for restarting diplomatic breakthroughs with Pyongyang.
Trump is scheduled to leave Washington in the evening of the 24th for a five-day Asia tour, which will include Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea - marking his first visit to Asia since returning to the White House in January of this year.
The last time Trump met with Kim Jong-un was in 2019, when he made an impromptu visit to Panmunjom, the village across the border between North and South Korea, after concluding his G20 Summit in Japan, where he had a brief meeting with Kim Jong-un.
Sources: rfi
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846939518190604/
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