What did Brad Sherman and Judy Chu say about Trump’s talks with North Korea?

The two California Democrats said dialogue and diplomacy are the most effective tools for protecting U.S. national security interests. They said renewed talks could help reduce nuclear proliferation risks and build durable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

What steps did the lawmakers want the U.S. to take before any Trump-Kim summit?

They asked Trump to direct the State Department to prepare for successful talks by revisiting the travel ban on U.S. citizens visiting North Korea, pursuing a formal peace treaty, and opening negotiations for liaison offices in both countries.

When might Trump meet Kim Jong-un again?

Trump has expressed his intention to meet Kim later this year. The report said speculation is growing that he could seek another meeting on his next trip to Asia, possibly around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November.

2 US lawmakers welcome Trump's efforts to restart dialogue with N. Korea's Kim

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Summary

Two U.S. Democratic lawmakers welcomed Donald Trump’s effort to restart dialogue with North Korea in Washington on Tuesday. Rep. Brad Sherman and Rep. Judy Chu said diplomacy is the most effective tool for protecting U.S. national security interests and achieving durable peace on the Korean Peninsula. They urged steps including revisiting the North Korea travel ban, pursuing a formal treaty to end the Korean War, and opening liaison offices.

Key Facts

Sherman and Chu said diplomacy with Pyongyang could help address nuclear proliferation concerns.
They said Trump should ask the State Department to lay the groundwork for meaningful talks with North Korea.
The lawmakers suggested revisiting the ban on U.S. citizen travel to North Korea and beginning negotiations for liaison offices in both countries.
They also called for a formal treaty to legally end the 1950-53 Korean War.
Trump has said he wants to meet Kim Jong-un later this year and remains open to talks without any preconditions.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 1, 2026 7:35 am KST

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un prepare to shake hands at the border village of Panmunjeom in the Demilitarized Zone, June 30, 2019. AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON—Two U.S. Democratic lawmakers have welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's recent efforts to restart talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying dialogue and diplomacy are the "most effective" tools for protecting U.S. national security interests.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) issued a joint statement on Tuesday, underlining their belief that diplomacy with Pyongyang would help address nuclear proliferation concerns and achieve "durable" peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Trump has recently expressed his intention to meet Kim later this year, with the White House reiterating that Trump remains open to talks with the North Korean leader "without any preconditions."

"We sincerely hope that President Trump will direct the State Department to take steps to lay a foundation for successful, meaningful discussions with North Korea," they said.

Those steps could include revisiting the ban on U.S. citizen travel to North Korea; pursuing a formal treaty, legally ending the 1950-53 Korean War; and starting negotiations with North Korea to establish liaison offices in each country.

"These actions would lay the groundwork for a productive and successful summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un and advancement of U.S. interests," they said.

Speculation has continued that Trump might seek to reengage with Kim during his next trip to Asia, likely for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.

Trump had three in-person meetings with Kim during his first term: the first in Singapore in June 2018, the second in Hanoi in February 2019 and the third at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom.

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