2 weeks ago

Trump Seeks Year-End Meeting With North Korea’s Kim

Trump Seeks Year-End Meeting With North Korea’s Kim
Trump pushes aides to set up meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un by year-end: Report · firstpost.com

Donald Trump wants to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again.

He has reportedly asked his aides to arrange the meeting before the year ends.

The meeting might happen during a trip to Asia in November.

The White House has not confirmed a date.

Trump recently ordered fewer military exercises between the United States and South Korea.

He said the exercises sent an unfriendly message to North Korea.

Trump and Kim have met three times before, but they did not reach an agreement.

North Korea still has nuclear weapons and has become closer to Russia and China.

Because of these issues, a quick breakthrough may be difficult.

Key facts

Reported objective
Trump wants to meet Kim Jong-un by the end of the year.
Possible timing
The meeting could take place during Trump’s next Asia visit in November.
White House position
The White House did not confirm the report and said the leaders would meet at an appropriate time.
Previous meetings
Trump and Kim met three times during Trump’s first term, without reaching a conclusive agreement.
Military drills
Trump ordered the Department of Defense to substantially reduce US-South Korea military exercises.
North Korean nuclear estimate
Independent estimates cited in the report put North Korea’s arsenal at about 60 nuclear warheads, with material for at least 30 more.
North Korean military assessment
Assistant Defense Secretary Robert Kadlec told Congress that North Korea’s nuclear and missile forces are increasingly capable of targeting the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Quotes

Assistant Defense Secretary Robert Kadlec

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense

“"North Korea's nuclear forces are increasingly capable of targeting the US homeland, and its missile forces can strike South Korea and Japan with nuclear or conventional warheads."”
firstpost.com
“"The drills sent a 'totally inappropriate and hostile' message to a country that has been completely 'unthreatening and respectful' towards me."”
firstpost.com

Sources

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