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South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Friday called on U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to seize the opportunity to resume dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula, as Trump is set to visit South Korea next week.
Speaking at a news conference at the Ministry of Unification, Chung said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in South Korea offers a “golden opportunity” for talks between the two leaders.
“The leaders of North Korea and the United States should not miss this opportunity. They need to make a decision,” Chung told reporters, adding that a potential meeting “could pave the way for peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
Trump will visit the southeastern city of Gyeongju on Oct. 29–30 for the APEC gathering. U.S. media have reported that officials in his administration have discussed arranging a possible meeting with Kim, though there has been no official confirmation from either side.
The South Korean government on Monday announced the temporary suspension of tours to the Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom from late October to early November, fueling speculation that preparations for a Trump-Kim meeting could be underway.
Chung noted that North Koreans had been seen “sprucing up” facilities at Panmunjom for the first time this year, including cleaning and maintenance activities.
Trump and Kim met three times between 2018 and 2019; in Singapore, Hanoi, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with their last meeting taking place in June 2019.
Chung said there is a “considerable possibility” of a new meeting, citing signs that North Korea “appears to be paying attention” to developments in the United States.
Kim said last month that he had “fond memories” of Trump and was open to talks if Washington recognized North Korea’s nuclear status. Trump, meanwhile, has expressed hope of meeting Kim again, possibly this year.
The South Korean military said Friday that two North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the inter-Korean border on Oct. 19, a day after reporting that around 20 North Korean troops made a similar incursion, prompting warning shots from South Korean forces.
Trump’s visit to South Korea is also expected to include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC event, officials said.
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