Trump’s visit sparked speculation of a fourth North Korea summit, following meetings in Singapore, Vietnam, and Panmunjom
Seoul
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his much-anticipated meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not happen during his current visit to South Korea, citing scheduling difficulties. His remarks came hours after he arrived in Gyeongju to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
“I know Kim Jong-un very well. We get along very well,” Trump said at the start of his meeting with President Lee at the Gyeongju National Museum. “We really weren’t able to work out timing.”
Trump’s two-day visit had fueled speculation about a possible fourth summit between the two leaders to restart dialogue on North Korea’s nuclear program. They previously met three times — in Singapore (2018), Vietnam (2019), and at the Panmunjom truce village the same year. Panmunjom had been seen as a possible venue for another meeting.
While reaffirming his willingness to resume talks, Trump noted the continued state of war between the Koreas since the 1950–53 Korean War, which ended only with a ceasefire. “We’ll have other visits and work very hard with Kim Jong-un to get things straightened out,” he added.
The earlier summits aimed at achieving denuclearization in exchange for US sanctions relief but collapsed over differing terms. Despite Trump’s repeated openness to new talks, North Korea has not responded and recently test-fired nuclear-capable cruise missiles, signaling disinterest.
Observers believe the diplomatic impasse underscores rising tensions and the uncertain future of US–North Korea engagement.
