U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he may extend his Asia tour to include a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying he “would love” to meet him.
Trump departed for Japan on Monday, October 27, as part of his ongoing Asia trip, which could also feature high-stakes talks with China’s President Xi Jinping aimed at ending the long-running trade war between the two global powers.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump voiced optimism about his upcoming meeting with Xi, scheduled for Thursday, October 30, in South Korea, and did not rule out the possibility of also meeting Kim while in the region.
“I have a lot of respect for President Xi, and I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” Trump said while travelling from Malaysia, where earlier discussions between U.S. and Chinese negotiators had raised hopes of a breakthrough.
Before leaving Washington, Trump had already hinted at a possible meeting with Kim, telling reporters he was “open” to the idea.
“If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea,” the president remarked.
Trump is expected to arrive in the South Korean port city of Busan on Wednesday, October 29, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he will also meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
South Korea’s Reunification Minister recently said there was a “considerable” possibility of a Trump-Kim meeting during the visit.
Kim Jong Un has reportedly shown willingness to meet, though he insists that Washington must first drop its demand for North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme.
