CNN: "Trump Preparing for APEC Visit... Serious Talks on U.S.-China Summit"

"Kim Jong Un May Not Attend... Focus Shifts to U.S.-China Summit"
"Visit to South Korea Centers on Economic Cooperation, Trade and Security Also on the Table"

CNN reported on September 6 (local time) that President Donald Trump of the United States is preparing to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will be held in Gyeongju at the end of next month.

The Trump administration is reportedly placing greater emphasis on the possibility of a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China, as it remains uncertain whether Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea will attend. Economic cooperation, including efforts to attract investment, is also seen as one of the key objectives of President Trump's visit to South Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo by AP and Yonhap News Agency

CNN, citing three officials from the Trump administration, reported that "President Trump and his aides have begun behind-the-scenes preparations to attend the APEC summit." According to the officials, there have been serious discussions about the possibility of a bilateral meeting with President Xi during the APEC period, but no concrete plans have been finalized yet.

While there is interest in whether President Trump's visit to South Korea will lead to a meeting with Chairman Kim, CNN reported that, given the uncertainty of Kim's attendance, the U.S.-China summit is being prioritized on the agenda. CNN pointed out that President Trump's visit is being pursued at a delicate time in his relationships with both President Xi and Chairman Kim. President Trump previously expressed displeasure on Truth Social after the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia appeared to be strengthening their ties during China's Victory Day military parade.

However, the possibility of a meeting with Chairman Kim remains unclear. CNN analyzed that a report by The New York Times, which claimed that the Trump administration had sent special forces to eavesdrop on Chairman Kim during the 2019 North Korea-U.S. nuclear negotiations, could be a complicating factor. President Trump has denied any knowledge of this operation, and North Korea has yet to issue an official response.

Citizens are watching news related to the meeting between Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Donald Trump, President of the United States, at the Seoul Station waiting room on June 30, 2019. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

On August 25, President Trump met with President Lee Jaemyung at the White House and expressed his desire to meet with Chairman Kim within this year if possible. However, CNN predicted that the main focus of this visit to South Korea is likely to be on expanding investment in the United States. Follow-up discussions on bilateral issues such as tariffs, security, and the revision of the nuclear cooperation agreement may also take place.

A White House official also explained, "The core of the proposed visit to South Korea is economic cooperation," adding that it could include trade, security, and civilian nuclear cooperation. CNN reported that the Trump administration sees this visit as an opportunity to secure investment in the United States. President Trump has maintained a similar approach during previous visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The South Korean government is currently pursuing a revision of the U.S.-Korea nuclear cooperation agreement to secure the capability to reprocess spent nuclear fuel. National Security Office Director Wi Sunglak stated in a briefing after the U.S.-Korea summit, "There were meaningful discussions on nuclear cooperation, and additional consultations between the two countries will continue in the future."