A South Korean foreign ministry official suggested that a meeting between North Korea and the United States at this year’s APEC summit in South Korea “cannot be ruled out.” Tensions between Pyongyang and Washington have persisted since the 2019 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump collapsed over sanctions and nuclear concessions.
Kim Signals Openness to Dialogue
Despite declaring itself an “irreversible” nuclear state, North Korea’s Kim has recently indicated a willingness to reopen dialogue with the US. The South Korean official, speaking anonymously, mentioned that talks could occur during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, starting in late October. “We cannot rule out the possibility,” the official stated.
Trump will attend the APEC forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, though the official did not provide details about the potential meeting’s location or format. Previously, Trump and Kim met in Panmunjom, a village in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
Trump and Kim met three times during Trump’s presidency, but their relationship soured after the 2019 Hanoi summit, which failed due to disagreements over nuclear concessions. In August, Trump expressed hope for another meeting with Kim this year. North Korean state media recently reported that Kim has “fond memories” of Trump and is open to talks if the US drops its demand for denuclearization.
Kim’s Recent Diplomatic Moves
This month, Kim made a rare trip outside North Korea, attending a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi will also attend the APEC forum, which runs until 1 November. Historically, China has been North Korea’s main ally, but Kim has strengthened ties with Putin, providing military support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, North Korean state media reported on Saturday that Kim reaffirmed the country’s commitment to maintaining security through its nuclear forces, emphasizing that the North Korean leadership will prioritize nuclear development.
With support from both Putin and Xi, analysts believe Kim will wield greater influence in any future talks with Trump. “Kim is positioning himself not as an isolated dictator, but as a key stakeholder backed by two nuclear-armed great powers,” said Seong-Hyon Lee, a visiting scholar at Harvard University. This shift significantly enhances Kim’s leverage in upcoming negotiations.
