Trump presses aides to arrange meeting with Kim Jong Un this fall
The president has raised the prospect of a summit during the APEC meeting in Shenzhen in November, but officials say no formal steps have been taken.
US President Donald Trump has been urging his aides to arrange a personal meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as early as this autumn, exploring the possibility of a face-to-face encounter during his next trip to Asia.
Possible timing at APEC in Shenzhen, but no formal planning yet
Trump has privately discussed meeting Kim during a November visit when world leaders will gather for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, though there are currently no formal preparations for such a summit.
The renewed interest signals an attempt to revive direct talks between the US president and the North Korean leader; the two met three times during Trump’s first presidential term.
A White House official said the two leaders would meet "when the time is right." North Korea's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said that Kim had replied to his request for talks and rejected a reporter's assertion that Pyongyang had not answered. "Kim Jong Un has always treated me with great respect. We met on multiple occasions, in fact we had two main meetings, we talked and spent time together. I understand him, and he understands me," Trump said.
The statement came a day after Trump ordered the Pentagon to "significantly reduce" the scope of planned joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the costs of the drills and his relationship with the North Korean leader. Trump also said, "North Korea is not a threat to us."
Separately, US authorities charged 17 Iranian nationals over hacking attacks that targeted 322 universities, according to official filings.
Photo: press material from the event
