Trump explores meeting with Kim Jong Un this fall for nuclear talks — WSJ

According to the publication, Trump has privately discussed arranging an in-person meeting with Kim during his upcoming trip to Asia. Talks could potentially take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen, China.

However, formal summit preparations have not yet begun. A U.S. administration official told the WSJ that direct negotiations between the leaders would take place when the "appropriate time" arrives.

Trump earlier stated that Kim Jong Un had responded to his outreach regarding the resumption of dialogue. The U.S. president also noted that the North Korean leader has always treated him with respect, though he did not disclose specific details regarding potential direct contacts.

Trump and Kim met three times during the American leader's first presidential term — in Singapore in 2018 and twice in 2019 (in Hanoi and at the Panmunjom demilitarized zone). Negotiations regarding North Korea's denuclearization collapsed without an agreement due to irreconcilable differences over sanctions relief and the scope of dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear infrastructure.

The Wall Street Journal noted that any potential new meeting would take place amid North Korea's expanded military capabilities. Security analysts assess that the country's nuclear arsenal has grown substantially compared to the period of their previous negotiations.

In March, U.S. intelligence assessments confirmed that Pyongyang continues to scale up its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. The Pentagon has repeatedly characterized North Korea's strategic nuclear forces as a direct security threat to the United States.

Ahead of the outreach, Trump directed the Pentagon to significantly scale back the scope of joint U.S.–South Korean military exercises, Ulchi Freedom Shield. The president linked the reduction in military maneuvers directly to prospects for resuming personal contact with Kim.

South Korea expressed support for potential renewed dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. In a statement, the South Korean Embassy in the United States voiced hope that high-level talks would contribute to long-term stability across the Korean Peninsula.