South Korea: Kim Jong Un Seeks Another Meeting with Trump

Moon Jae-in, the President of South Korea, stated on Thursday, September 19, that Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, is requesting another meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Reuters, Moon Jae-in mentioned that the main focus of discussions during the three-day meeting with Kim Jong Un was how to break the deadlock and restart negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. The North Korean leader stated the previous day that if the U.S. takes reciprocal actions, Pyongyang is ready to dismantle its key nuclear and missile facilities in the presence of foreign experts. He specifically referred to ending activities at the Tongchang-ri site, a key center for testing ballistic missile engines and the Nyangbyon nuclear facility. The South Korean President noted that Kim has accepted to take practical steps towards denuclearization. Moon Jae-in added that the North Korean leader hopes for a second meeting with Trump in the near future to expedite the denuclearization process. The day before, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the U.S. is ready to start negotiations with North Korea on denuclearization 'as soon as possible.' Pompeo regarded Kim Jong Un's remarks about the Tongchang-ri site in the presence of 'American and international experts' as 'a step forward.' Earlier, Pompeo was scheduled to visit North Korea in early September, but Trump canceled the trip, citing a lack of significant progress in negotiations with North Korea to eliminate nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Following the cancellation, North Korea's official news agency reported mid-September that Pyongyang is committed to the denuclearization process on the peninsula. On Wednesday, the South Korean President reiterated that Pyongyang has agreed to take practical steps towards denuclearization. The United States aims to complete the denuclearization process of North Korea by January 2022.