Trump expected to pursue 'direct talks' with North Korean leader

By Im Yoon-seo Posted : November 27, 2024, 17:10 Updated : November 28, 2024, 09:38
 
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during a meeting at the DMZ in Panmunjom, Korea, in this file photo taken on Jun. 30, 2019.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during a meeting at Panmunjom, in this file photo taken in June 2019. Reuters-Yonhap
SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Speculation is growing that incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to engage in direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump's transition team is "discussing pursuing direct talks" with Kim, "hoping a fresh diplomatic push can lower the risks of armed conflict," Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources.

"Several in Trump's team now see a direct approach from Trump, to build on a relationship that already exists, as most likely to break the ice with Kim, years after the two traded insults and what Trump called "beautiful" letters in an unprecedented diplomatic effort during his first term in office," it said.

In a move seen as a broader sign of rapprochement with North Korea, Trump appointed Alex Wong as his deputy national security adviser last week. Wong had been a key aide in Trump’s initial negotiations with Pyongyang during his first term from 2017 to 2021.

Wong "helped negotiate my summit" with Kim, Trump said in a statement announcing Wong's appointment.

Wong participated in arranging the historic summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore in 2018. He was also part of the team that prepared for the follow-up summit in Hanoi in 2019, which ended in failure.
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