US-China summit faces hurdles over North Korean policy

A former U.S. security official suggests that the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to yield new breakthroughs regarding North Korea. While Trump reportedly seeks an agreement with Kim Jong Un, China is expected to maintain the status quo to prevent North Korea from shifting toward the United States, prioritizing its own strategic interests.

Both leaders are viewed as pursuing the summit to address domestic political needs, with Trump facing the November midterm elections and Xi ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party. Meanwhile, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized the necessity of dialogue to resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the 8th anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration, Moon urged North Korea to return to the negotiating table and called for the restoration of the inter-Korean military agreement to prevent accidental clashes.