US, South Korean officials see low chance of Trump-Kim meeting this year
by@Reuters
Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are unlikely to meet this year, according to U.S. and South Korean officials, who cite a lack of concrete signals from Pyongyang as a major factor. While Trump has expressed openness to talks and previously met Kim three times during his first term, North Korea has reportedly placed tough conditions on any potential summit, including demands for sanctions relief, amid ongoing development of its nuclear and missile capabilities. Additionally, cordial discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials have not yet led to any breakthroughs in re-engaging North Korea diplomatically.
Analysis
Ankit Panda: Ankit Panda is a senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in East Asian security and nuclear issues. He provides expert analysis on the low probability of near-term Trump-Kim engagement. In this context, he assessed the chances of a meeting at the upcoming APEC summit as under 10 percent. Kim Jong Un: Kim Jong Un is the leader of North Korea who has engaged in historic summits with US presidents in the past. His government has shown limited interest in new diplomacy on nuclear issues and has signaled that any future bilateral meeting would require significant concessions such as sanctions relief. In this news, his administration has not responded to US outreach, reducing prospects for a meeting this year. Donald Trump: Donald Trump is the President of the United States and the only US leader to have held direct meetings with a North Korean head of state. He has expressed openness to renewed diplomacy with Pyongyang without preconditions while downplaying the likelihood of an immediate summit. In the current context, he is preparing for regional diplomacy in Asia and continues to signal willingness for talks despite limited progress. Michelle Steel: Michelle Steel serves as the US Ambassador to South Korea, overseeing bilateral security and diplomatic coordination on the Korean Peninsula. She has commented publicly on the potential for sudden developments in US-North Korea relations. Her remarks highlight the possibility of an abruptly announced meeting if conditions align. Diplomacy: US and South Korean officials report no concrete signals from Pyongyang indicating preparation for a bilateral summit. Nuclear Policy: North Korea continues to link any potential summit to demands for sanctions relief while maintaining its nuclear and missile programs. Regional Relations: Cordial US-China talks have not yet produced any breakthroughs in facilitating North Korea engagement.
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