"Trump Preparing to Attend APEC in South Korea…Discussing US-China Summit"

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

CNN reported that President Trump is preparing to attend the APEC summit next month.
The Trump administration is said to be more interested in achieving a U.S.-China summit.
A possible meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un is uncertain, and related reporting could be a burden on the U.S. government's position.

CNN reported on the 6th (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju late next month.

With uncertainty over whether North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un will attend APEC, the Trump administration is said to be more focused on securing a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

CNN, citing statements from three Trump administration officials, reported that the president and his aides have begun preparatory work to attend the APEC meeting.

Trump administration officials said there have been serious discussions about the possibility of a bilateral meeting with President Xi during APEC, but added that no concrete plans have been finalized yet.

While there is interest in whether meetings with President Xi and Chairman Kim will take place during President Trump's visit to South Korea, CNN reported that because Kim's attendance is uncertain, the U.S. government is placing greater focus on achieving a U.S.-China summit.

CNN pointed out that President Trump's visit is being pursued at a delicate time in relations with President Xi and Chairman Kim.

President Trump had expressed displeasure on the social network Truth Social after the leaders of North Korea, China and Russia stood side by side on the Tiananmen rostrum for the first time in 66 years during China's 80th Victory Day military parade.

A potential meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim has not yet surfaced. CNN assessed that a New York Times (NYT) report that the Trump administration sent special forces to infiltrate and eavesdrop on Kim in 2019 while negotiating with North Korea could pose a burden.

President Trump has denied any knowledge of that operation. North Korea has not yet responded to the report.

On the 25th of last month, President Trump met President Lee Jae-myung at the White House and expressed that he would like to meet Chairman Kim this year if possible.

Oh Jeong-min, Hankyung.com reporter blooming@hankyung.com