Donald Trump, the sitting U.S. President, embarked on an Asian tour on October 24, expressing his willingness to meet with Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Trump stated that he considers North Korea a de facto nuclear power.
According to a White House press pool report on October 25, while aboard Air Force One, Trump responded to a question about recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power, saying that he thinks they are essentially a nuclear power.
Trump continued that he knows how many nuclear weapons they have, and he’s well-informed about their situation. However, he’s developed a very good relationship with Kim.
He further remarked that when the topic of recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power comes up, he’d say that they possess a significant nuclear arsenal. This statement suggests that Trump acknowledges North Korea’s substantial nuclear capabilities, regardless of formal recognition as a nuclear state.
Trump also addressed the possibility of meeting Kim at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during his visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, saying that if Kim reaches out, he’ll meet with him. While no official meeting is scheduled, this comment hints at a potential surprise encounter.
He recalled that last time, in June 2019, he announced his visit to South Korea online. They have plenty of nuclear weapons but limited telephone services.
Trump added that Kim probably knows he’s coming, and that’s fine to publicize. He’s completely open to meeting.
When asked about prior contact with North Korea before this trip, he stated that there aren’t many ways to communicate besides the Internet, but they’re aware of his visit.
In September, Kim declared openness to dialogue if the U.S. abandons its delusional demand for denuclearization. Previously, at a U.S.-South Korea summit in Washington, D.C. on August 25, Trump expressed his desire to meet Kim again before year’s end.
Trump’s itinerary includes Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (October 26-27), Japan (October 27-29), and South Korea (October 29-30).
On his first day in South Korea, Trump will meet with President Lee Jae Myung, followed by Chinese President Xi Jinping the next day. Speculation is growing about a potential meeting between Trump and Kim at Panmunjom during this visit.
While no official announcement has been made, tourism in the Joint Security Area (JSA) has been suspended from late October to early November. For the first time this year, signs of maintenance near the North Korean side of the JSA have been observed.
In June 2019, during his first term, Trump held an impromptu meeting with Kim at Panmunjom, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to step onto North Korean soil. Trump proposed the meeting via Twitter, and Kim’s positive response led to the historic encounter.
The two leaders have held three summits, but negotiations stalled due to disagreements over North Korea’s denuclearization scope and corresponding U.S. measures. Since then, North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an irreversible nuclear power.