Gyeongju: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated on Sunday that the likelihood of a summit between the United States and North Korea taking place on the sidelines of a regional forum in South Korea later this year is currently "very low."
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho made this comment during an interview on a KBS news program, addressing speculation regarding a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The event is scheduled to occur in Gyeongju, approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at the end of October.
Cho remarked, "I can only say that the possibility is very low for now," emphasizing that no invitation to the APEC summit has been extended to the North Korean leader. Despite the low likelihood of such a meeting, Cho mentioned that if it were to happen, it might present an opportunity to alleviate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and ultimately work towards North Korea's denuclearization.
In addition, the minister commented on Kim Jong-un's upcoming visit to China, suggesting that the North Korean leader is likely aiming to mend strained relations with Beijing. Cho noted, "North Korea has grown extremely close to Russia recently, but they probably have learned Russia's limits," while also acknowledging the limitations of China's support. Kim Jong-un is expected to attend a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.