A report emerged stating that President-elect Donald Trump’s team is discussing the possibility of pursuing direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
On November 26, Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the team hopes a renewed diplomatic effort could reduce the risk of armed conflict.
According to the report, several members of Trump’s team view a direct approach by Trump as an opportunity to build on an evolving relationship. The two leaders initially traded insults, but the dynamic shifted dramatically to the exchange of what Trump described as “beautiful letters.”
Reuters reported that the policy discussions are fluid and no final decisions have been made by Trump. His team didn’t respond to the media outlet’s request for comment.
It is unclear whether Kim will accept the offer to talk directly. The North Koreans have ignored four years of outreach by President Joe Biden to start talks with no pre-conditions.
“We have already gone as far as we can on negotiating with the United States,” Kim recently said in a speech at a Pyongyang military exhibition.
During his first term in office, Trump held three meetings with Kim—in Singapore, Hanoi, and at the Korean border—marking the first time a sitting U.S. president set foot in North Korea.
Their diplomacy yielded no concrete results, even as Trump described their talks as “falling in love.” The U.S. pushed for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons, while Kim demanded full sanctions relief and later issued new threats.
The sources said that an initial Trump goal would be to reestablish basic engagement but further policy aims or a precise timetable have not been set.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
