Seoul Says ‘Considerable’ Chance Of Trump–Kim Meeting During Upcoming Korea Visit

“North Korea appears to be paying attention to the United States, and various signs suggest a considerable possibility of a meeting," South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young told reporters in Seoul.

Chung’s remarks come as Trump prepares for his first trip to Asia since returning to the White House, with stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea ahead of the October 31–November 1 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Seoul.

If the meeting happens, it would mark the first encounter between Trump and Kim in over six years—and their fourth overall—since their dramatic meeting at the inter-Korean border in June 2019, when Trump made history by briefly stepping into North Korea.

However, neither Washington nor Pyongyang has confirmed any plans for a summit, but Chung’s remarks are the strongest indication yet from Seoul that backchannel communications or informal signals may be underway.

Ban Kil Joo, an assistant professor at the Korea Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, said that recent developments, such as the suspension of civilian tours to Panmunjom and Kim’s favorable remarks about his past interactions with Trump, “indicate that the likelihood of their meeting has grown."

Still, analysts remain cautious. The spontaneous nature of Trump’s 2019 border meeting has fueled speculation that a similar surprise encounter could happen again. However, some analysts believe North Korea’s altered strategic stance makes another unplanned meeting less likely.

Location :

Seoul, South Korea

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