Still, Trump appeared hopeful this week. He’s was reportedly interested in using discussions over international sanctions, imposed on North Korea for its ballistic missile program, as a way to bring Kim back to the table.
“That’s pretty big to start off with,” Trump said.
The dictator’s response
Interestingly, while Kim hasn’t responded directly to Trump’s latest invitation, the North Korean leader recently hinted that he might be open to a meeting, but only under his own conditions.
According to Korean Central News, Kim said:
“Personally, I still have fond memories of U.S. President Trump. If the United States drops the absurd obsession with denuclearising us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States.”
Kim also made it clear he has no interest in dealing with South Korea, a key U.S. ally, calling off any chance of inter-Korean talks for now.
That hasn’t stopped South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who took office in June after the ousting of Yoon Suk Yeol, from hoping Trump’s involvement could spark a diplomatic breakthrough. Lee reportedly believes Trump might help cool rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and prevent further military escalation.
South Korea’s reunification minister also said there was a “considerable” chance that Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un would meet.
Test-firing cruise missiles
But on Wednesday, Donald Trump confirmed that he was unable to set up a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to South Korea — ending days of intense speculation about a possible reunion between the two.
“I know Kim Jong Un very well… we really weren’t able to work out timing,” Trump said.
