CNN "Trump Not Interested in Talking with Kim Jong-un Before Election"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Reports have emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump does not want a third North Korea-U.S. summit with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, before the November presidential election.

CNN cited two U.S. government sources familiar with North Korea-U.S. relations on the 10th (local time), reporting this. CNN quoted sources saying that President Trump’s desire to resolve the North Korea issue has waned as he focuses on his re-election campaign.

If the report is accurate, the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. dialogue is expected to continue until the U.S. presidential election in November.

This is also connected to the recent trend in the Trump administration during the election phase, confirming a policy of "patient diplomacy" and reiterating a call for slowing down by saying "we will not rush."

President Trump has recently made almost no mention of North Korea or Chairman Kim Jong-un. Although President Trump sent a birthday greeting message to Chairman Kim on his birthday (January 8) last month, there have been no further mentions related to North Korea since then.

CNN also highlighted that President Trump did not mention North Korea for the first time since his inauguration during his State of the Union address on the 4th. While he applied pressure on Iran and Venezuela in foreign relations, he made no mention of North Korea.

CNN reported that members of President Trump’s re-election campaign do not believe the North Korea issue is a decisive factor for re-election. The reason is that any attempt to reach an agreement with North Korea before the election carries overwhelmingly greater risks than potential gains from resuming negotiations.

An official added, "It is clear that North Korea is not interested in resuming talks unless President Trump proactively eases sanctions. It seems unlikely that the U.S. will ease sanctions first."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This reflects an analysis that the North Korea issue is not a matter that can shake the election landscape, and there is concern that a wrong approach could lead to a backlash.

Although North Korea has hinted at new strategic weapons and mentioned 'actual actions,' recent reductions in anti-U.S. rhetoric suggest that the deadlock is more likely to be prolonged rather than resolved.

CNN reported that it is unclear whether working-level diplomats involved in the Trump administration’s North Korea policy have clearly received the message from President Trump that he will no longer be obsessed with additional summits, but officials understand that President Trump does not want another face-to-face meeting with Kim Jong-un unless an agreement is reached during the summit period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.