Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Prospects for Trump-Kim meeting around China trip appear low
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the North Korean side of the border at the peace village of Panmunjeom in Demilitarized Zone, June 30, 2019. AP-Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
Prospects for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un around the former's planned visit to China in April appear low as Washington remains focused on conflicts in the Middle East, diplomatic sources said Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Chung Eui-hae, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, held talks with Michael DeSombre, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, during his visit to Seoul.
The two officials touched on North Korean issues but did not delve deeply into the topic, as the allies focused primarily on implementing their bilateral joint fact sheet on trade and security cooperation, according to a foreign ministry official familiar with the matter.
"North Korea remains an important issue, but the United States is currently dealing with a number of pressing matters, including developments in the Middle East," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"My impression was that while Washington continues to pay attention to North Korea, it is not an atmosphere in which the U.S. is putting forward new plans or engaging in detailed discussions on the issue at this point," the official added, noting that allies continue to coordinate closely on North Korean policy.
When asked whether Trump could meet Kim around the time of his planned visit to China in April, the official cautioned that it would be difficult to assess.
"Even regarding China, there are many issues the U.S. will want to discuss," the official said. "It is difficult to judge whether North Korea would become a major agenda item. But broadly speaking, it may be unrealistic to assume that Washington is currently giving North Korea such a high priority."
DeSombre held a separate meeting with Jeong Yeon-doo, vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence overseeing North Korean nuclear issues, the ministry said.
The trip was DeSombre's first to South Korea since taking office in October. Speculations have been rising that his visit could be linked to preparations for a possible Trump-Kim meeting, as the U.S. leader has repeatedly signaled willingness to reengage with Kim for nuclear talks.