President Donald Trump is willing to have discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “without any preconditions,” according to a White House official. This comes as South Korea’s unification minister highlighted that Pyongyang’s missiles could potentially target the U.S. mainland.
A White House representative stated to Fox News Digital that “President Trump, during his first term, engaged in three significant summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, contributing to the stabilization of the Korean Peninsula. There has been no shift in the U.S. policy regarding North Korea. President Trump is still open to negotiating with Kim Jong Un, without imposing any preconditions.”
In Berlin, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed his views candidly, telling the media, “North Korea is now among the three nations capable of striking the U.S. mainland,” as reported by the Yonhap News Agency. “Recognizing what is factual should be done pragmatically.”
The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Chung’s claim.
Trump met with Kim three times during his first administration. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Kim has said dialogue with the U.S. is possible, but on his terms.
Kim, through state media, stated, “If the United States discards the unrealistic goal of denuclearizing us and accepts the situation for what it is, and seeks truly peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to engage in dialogue with the United States.”
Another meeting with Kim would mark Trump’s fourth encounter with the North Korean leader, amid a resurgence of tensions that threaten U.S. interests.
In July, the White House communicated that Trump “remains open to interacting with Leader Kim to achieve the goal of a fully denuclearized North Korea.” However, North Korea made it clear they would not engage with the U.S. president if denuclearization was a point of discussion.
On Monday, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong told the United Nations General Assembly that his country will never give up its nuclear program, Reuters reported.
Trump is scheduled to travel to Asia later this month for an economic leaders’ summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. A senior U.S. official said no Demilitarized Zone meeting with Kim is currently on the agenda.
Talks between Trump and Kim quieted threats between the two nations but did not lead to a denuclearized North Korea. (API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Reports have suggested Trump may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, though plans are still being finalized.
In a call last month, Xi invited Trump and first lady Melania Trump to visit China. Trump returned the invitation.
The same official said progress on nuclear talks depends on China.
“The first thing that would need to happen is for the Chinese to acknowledge and be more transparent about its own programs,” the official said.
U.S. estimates put China’s nuclear arsenal at about 600 warheads in 2024, with projections of 1,000 by 2030. North Korea is believed to possess roughly 50 warheads, with enough fissile material for up to 90.
Pyongyang last year declared an “irreversible hegemonic position” after test-firing its Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, which North Korea has claimed can strike the American mainland.
Trump is strengthening deterrence even as he keeps the option of “talks without preconditions” open.
