By Kim Hyo-jin
U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to visit the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divides North and South Korea during his official visit to Seoul, Nov. 7 and 8, a White House official said Monday.
Trump, however, will visit Camp Humphreys, a military base south of Seoul, and speak to U.S. and South Korean troops, at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in, the official said.
It is a rare move for a U.S. president to skip a DMZ tour considering it has been customary for previous American leaders to demonstrate resolve against North Korea by visiting it.
Time constraints were an issue, according to the official, although he did not completely rule out the possibility of a visit.
But he played down speculations it was out of concerns about Trump's personal security.
"The message is that we are guests during a state visit of President Moon Jae-in. He invited us to make the visit to Camp Humphreys," the official said, when asked if skipping the DMZ could compromise Trump's message to the regime. "I don't think this sends a message in a negative way."
News reports earlier said there was opposition from the South Korean government and U.S. State Department on a possible trip to the border as it could further provoke Pyongyang amid heightened tension between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Cheong Wa Dae denied the reports, saying, "It is not a matter for us to agree or oppose as President Trump's schedule is decided by the U.S."
Trump is expected to have a summit with Moon, Nov. 7, and give a speech at the National Assembly and pay tribute to fallen troops at the National Cemetery in Seoul the next day.
The White House official put Trump's visit to South Korea as "unique" and "very special" with an address to the National Assembly.
Trump is expected to underline the enduring alliance and friendship with South Korea and call on the international community to maximize pressure on North Korea, he added.
A source from the National Assembly said there will be no prior consultation on the content of Trump's speech.
In a 12-day swing to five Asian nations — Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines — and a stop in Hawaii, Trump hopes to rally support for increasing pressure and sanctions on the North. This will be his longest foreign trip to date since his inauguration.
Trump is expected to seek ways to deter North Korea's additional missile provocations during his stops in South Korea and Japan. In China, the official indicated he would urge Beijing to impose unilateral sanctions on the North as well as those from the United Nations Security Council.
U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to visit the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divides North and South Korea during his official visit to Seoul, Nov. 7 and 8, a White House official said Monday.
Trump, however, will visit Camp Humphreys, a military base south of Seoul, and speak to U.S. and South Korean troops, at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in, the official said.
It is a rare move for a U.S. president to skip a DMZ tour considering it has been customary for previous American leaders to demonstrate resolve against North Korea by visiting it.
Time constraints were an issue, according to the official, although he did not completely rule out the possibility of a visit.
But he played down speculations it was out of concerns about Trump's personal security.
"The message is that we are guests during a state visit of President Moon Jae-in. He invited us to make the visit to Camp Humphreys," the official said, when asked if skipping the DMZ could compromise Trump's message to the regime. "I don't think this sends a message in a negative way."
News reports earlier said there was opposition from the South Korean government and U.S. State Department on a possible trip to the border as it could further provoke Pyongyang amid heightened tension between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Cheong Wa Dae denied the reports, saying, "It is not a matter for us to agree or oppose as President Trump's schedule is decided by the U.S."
Trump is expected to have a summit with Moon, Nov. 7, and give a speech at the National Assembly and pay tribute to fallen troops at the National Cemetery in Seoul the next day.
The White House official put Trump's visit to South Korea as "unique" and "very special" with an address to the National Assembly.
Trump is expected to underline the enduring alliance and friendship with South Korea and call on the international community to maximize pressure on North Korea, he added.
A source from the National Assembly said there will be no prior consultation on the content of Trump's speech.
In a 12-day swing to five Asian nations — Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines — and a stop in Hawaii, Trump hopes to rally support for increasing pressure and sanctions on the North. This will be his longest foreign trip to date since his inauguration.
Trump is expected to seek ways to deter North Korea's additional missile provocations during his stops in South Korea and Japan. In China, the official indicated he would urge Beijing to impose unilateral sanctions on the North as well as those from the United Nations Security Council.
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