Increased Likelihood of Meeting Between Trump and North Korean Leader

As U.S. and North Korean officials engage in discussions and negotiations, the likelihood of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un has once again increased. In this context, Donald Trump is set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and further meetings between the leaders of the two Koreas are also expected. On May 26, Trump expressed that he is still hopeful about meeting Kim Jong-un, a meeting that was supposed to take place on June 12 in Singapore but was suspended following exchanges of remarks and criticisms between senior officials of the two countries. However, shortly after, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a new meeting, and reports emerged that several U.S. officials had traveled to North Korea, with Trump emphasizing that there is a 'great deal of positive will.' On Tuesday morning, June 8, South Korea's state news agency reported, citing an informed source, that delegations from Washington and Pyongyang are set to resume their negotiations. Some of these talks took place on Sunday but were suspended on Monday. Yonhap, South Korea's state news agency, stated that the parties presented their ideas and proposals and agreed to enter into details 'after a one-day break.' In addition to these meetings, which took place in the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, Moon Jae-in also mentioned that there may be more unexpected meetings and discussions with Kim Jong-un: 'What is more important than the remaining summits of the two Koreas is that we can now contact each other much more easily, arrange meetings easily, and discuss important issues comfortably.' Kyodo, a Japanese news agency, also reported that before any potential meeting between Trump and Kim, the U.S. President will hold talks with Shinzo Abe. Abe stated that during a phone call with Trump, both sides agreed to meet before the U.S.-North Korea summit. Reports indicate that the Japanese government has a tougher stance towards North Korea and negotiations with it compared to the South Korean government. The U.S. government demands complete, irreversible, and verifiable denuclearization from North Korea. According to some South Korean media, this denuclearization should include the removal of nuclear warheads from North Korea. However, Pyongyang currently opposes unilateral disarmament and seeks to pursue a 'phased and simultaneous' process, meaning that the step-by-step halt of its nuclear-military program should be accompanied by the suspension and cessation of sanctions.