Trump-Kim Jong Un meeting prospects diminish

The likelihood of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is fading, according to officials from the United States and South Korea. While President Trump has expressed interest in reviving bilateral negotiations, Pyongyang has shown little enthusiasm for diplomacy focused on containing its nuclear program.

The U.S. has reportedly received no response from North Korea regarding a potential summit. This lack of communication comes as the window narrows for a possible meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18-19. Although South Korean intelligence previously estimated a 50% chance of a meeting occurring in China, President Trump recently downplayed the prospects of a summit in either China or the Philippines.

North Korean state media has indicated that any bilateral summit would be subject to strict conditions, potentially including the easing of economic sanctions. Despite these hurdles, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, has described the relationship between the two leaders as “excellent.”