A senior South Korean presidential security adviser said on Monday that a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is unlikely to take place in the near future, despite media speculation during Trump’s ongoing Asia tour.
“Oh Hyun-joo, a deputy director of national security at the presidential office, told reporters she had no concrete information about any such meeting, though President Trump has said he remains open to talks with Kim,” South Korean media quoted her as saying.
Trump is visiting South Korea this week for a summit with President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events.
The two leaders are expected to discuss security issues and economic cooperation, but Oh said she doubted a final trade agreement would be reached during the visit.
Washington and Seoul are still negotiating the details of a preliminary trade deal that includes a proposed $350 billion investment package. After three rounds of talks this month, both sides reported progress but acknowledged lingering differences on key terms.
The U.S. and South Korea first announced a framework for the deal following a summit in August, but the agreement has yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile, attention remains focused on regional security dynamics amid stalled nuclear diplomacy with North Korea.
Trump’s openness to dialogue with Kim contrasts with growing doubts in Seoul over Pyongyang’s willingness to return to negotiations.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
