Washington: The United States' policy on North Korea remains consistent, a White House official stated, while reaffirming U.S. President Donald Trump's willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "without any preconditions."
According to Yonhap News Agency, the official's remarks came in response to questions about the White House's preparations for a potential Trump-Kim summit. There have been inquiries regarding whether Trump would continue pursuing North Korea's denuclearization or shift focus towards goals like tension reduction.
"U.S. policy on North Korea has not changed. President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong-un without any preconditions," the official conveyed via email. The official highlighted that during Trump's first term, he held three summits with Kim, which "stabilized the Korean Peninsula."
Speculation about the Trump administration's adherence to the denuclearization goal resurfaced after Trump's recent comments on North Korea's nuclear capabilities, mentioning 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons, while avoiding a direct response on whether denuclearization remains his objective in reengaging with Kim.
Trump has signaled his intention to meet Kim later this year. On Monday, Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, noted that the White House queried the Pentagon agency on potential actions if Trump reaches a deal with Kim, indicating Trump's interest in resuming summit discussions with Kim. POW and MIA stand for prisoner of war and missing in action.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service informed the National Assembly's intelligence committee that a Trump-Kim summit could occur "at any time," citing "possible signs of dialogue" between the U.S. and North Korea.
During his first term, Trump participated in three in-person meetings with Kim: the inaugural meeting in June 2018 in Singapore, the second in February 2019, and the third at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019.