PM Kim says Trump positive about dialogue with N. Korea's Kim but leaves its timing open

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and U.S. President Donald Trump pose at the White House in Washington, Friday, in this photo, released by Kim's office. Yonhap

WASHINGTON — South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump asked him whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wants dialogue with the United States during their talks at the White House in Washington.

Kim made the remarks during a press briefing on the 20-minute talks, underlining Trump's show of interest in the resumption of diplomacy with Pyongyang amid speculation that Trump could seek a meeting with the North Korean leader during his upcoming trip to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"(President Trump) said that he has maintained good relations with Chairman Kim Jong-un," the prime minister said. "And he also asked for my views, saying that he is wondering if Chairman Kim wants dialogue with the U.S. and President Trump."

During the meeting, the prime minister pointed out South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's remarks that Trump is "the only leader" capable of addressing Korean Peninsula issues.

In response, Trump asked his staff to bring a photo of him and the North Korean leader, which was taken when the two sides met at the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom in June 2019.

Kim said that he shared some of his ideas regarding diplomacy with North Korea, and that Trump directed his aides to consider steps related to the relations with the North.

Kim did not elaborate on those ideas to the press, citing the need to report them first to Lee.

During a key ruling party congress last month, Kim said that Pyongyang has "no reason not to get along with the U.S." if Washington withdraws its hostile policy, noting that the prospects of U.S.-North Korea ties "entirely depend on the U.S. attitude." Kim has shown no interest in inter-Korean dialogue.