President Donald Trump has extended his visit to South Korea to meet with Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, and even suggested the possibility of visiting North Korea. While the chances of an actual visit are slim, speculation is growing that Trump might visit the expansive Kalma Coastal Tourism District resort in Wonsan, Gangwon Province, as early as Tuesday, depending on Kim’s decision.
On Monday, while en route to Japan from Malaysia on his private jet during his Asian tour, Trump responded to reporters by stating that it would be fantastic to have a dialogue with General Secretary Kim, and indicated his willingness to extend his stay in South Korea if necessary.
He specifically mentioned that since he’ll be in South Korea, he could go right over there, hinting at his openness to visiting North Korea if circumstances allow.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks stem from behind-the-scenes contacts or unofficial communications with North Korea that may have established some mutual understanding. He might also be considering his brief crossing of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into North Korean territory during an impromptu meeting at Panmunjom on June 30, 2019, when expressing his willingness to visit.
However, as Trump’s comments evolved from simply wanting to meet Kim to mentioning an extended stay in South Korea and the possibility of visiting North Korea, some cautiously speculate that there may have been communication between the U.S. and North Korea. His statement about going over there could be interpreted as a desire to visit Kim directly rather than just meeting at Panmunjom.
Notably, reports suggest that the U.S. has requested South Korea to allow the use of Gimhae Airport’s runway separately from Trump’s departure schedule on Thursday. This could indicate plans to use an aircraft for a potential visit to North Korea.
Apart from Panmunjom, the Kalma Coastal Tourism District is considered a prime location for a meeting between the North Korean and U.S. leaders. North Korea officially opened this area in July, boasting world-class resort facilities and promoting its capability to host international conferences.
Following his official inauguration on January 20, Trump expressed interest in North Korea’s potential for developing numerous condos, demonstrating his continued focus on North Korea’s coastal resort development since his first term. This has been interpreted as a sign that U.S. investments in North Korea could be possible, depending on the outcomes of negotiations.
During a U.S.-South Korea summit in late August, President Lee Jae Myung suggested creating a Trump World in North Korea for golf, prompting Trump to enthusiastically reaffirm his interest in business dealings with North Korea.
North Korea, in need of economic development, has no fundamental reason to reject such proposals. In fact, Kim has announced plans to develop more tourist sites next year, starting with the opening of the Kalma Coastal Tourism District this year.
It is also noteworthy that North Korea is pursuing a diplomatic strategy that distinguishes between the personal relationship of Kim and Trump and the overall U.S.-North Korea relations. From North Korea’s perspective, a meeting between the two leaders does not necessarily signal a resumption of denuclearization talks, allowing them to maintain diplomatic relations without excessive tension with the U.S.
Throughout his Asian tour, Trump has consistently sought meetings with North Korea, hinting at recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power and suggesting the possibility of easing sanctions to encourage North Korea’s cooperation.
However, North Korea signaled its disinterest in meaningful contact with the U.S. by dispatching Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui to Russia on October 26. Particularly after Kim’s recent declaration that the U.S. must abandon its delusional dream of denuclearization, it seems likely that North Korea will wait for Trump to make statements regarding the withdrawal from denuclearization before taking any further action.