President Donald Trump told South Korean officials he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, signaling a renewed push for direct diplomacy. The announcement came during a meeting at the White House with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
Trump’s remarks reaffirm his long-standing preference for personal diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula. He indicated that a meeting with Kim would take place “in the appropriate future” and suggested it could occur during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for October. South Korea’s President expressed openness to the idea, citing it as a pathway to renewed stability in the region.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump also discussed the U.S.–South Korea alliance and expressed concerns about military spending obligations. He signaled a willingness to renegotiate aspects of the existing trade agreement, indicating that the United States seeks a more balanced partnership while maintaining its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Trump’s approach continues to emphasize face-to-face summits and direct negotiations, setting his foreign policy apart from previous administrations. He has met with Kim Jong Un three times before, including the historic 2018 summit in Singapore, the 2019 meeting in Hanoi, and an impromptu encounter at the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
A potential 2025 summit would mark Trump’s return to high-level foreign engagement amid ongoing tensions over North Korea’s nuclear program and human rights record.
