Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

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President Donald Trump of the United States continues to send overtures to Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. After referring to North Korea as a "nuclear power," he also indicated that the issue of sanctions against North Korea could be discussed if a summit between the two leaders is held. With only the "decision" of President Trump and Chairman Kim standing between now and a potential North Korea-U.S. summit, North Korea has remained silent, closely monitoring the situation even a day before Trump's visit to South Korea.

According to AFP and other foreign media outlets on the 28th, President Trump, speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, Japan, on the 27th (local time), commented on what the United States could offer in a meeting with Chairman Kim, stating, "We have (North Korea) sanctions. There is nothing bigger than that." This is the first time President Trump has publicly stated since the start of his second administration that he would discuss North Korea sanctions with Chairman Kim.

Chosun Central TV reported on the 24th that a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the "Overseas Military Operations Combat Meritorious Service Memorial Hall," commemorating North Korean soldiers who participated in the liberation military operation in Kursk Oblast, Russia, was held on the 23rd at the Hwaseong District in Pyongyang, attended by Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and officials from the Party, government, and military. [Chosun Central TV footage] 2025.10.24 Yonhap News Agency

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President Trump also expressed his willingness to extend his scheduled two-day visit to South Korea, set for October 29-30, if it would facilitate a North Korea-U.S. summit. Regarding the possibility of extending his Asia tour, he said, "I will be in Korea, so I can go right there. It's a very easy thing to do." Despite having partially accepted North Korea's demand to abandon denuclearization by referring to the country as a nuclear power, Trump offered an even bigger card-easing sanctions-after receiving no response from North Korea.

While President Trump continues to send repeated signals regarding a North Korea-U.S. summit ahead of his visit to Gyeongju for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Chairman Kim, who now holds the ball, has yet to make any public statement and remains silent.

President Donald Trump, embarking on his Asia tour, expressed his willingness to meet with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un. It has been confirmed that the American news network CNN rented a cafe terrace near Imjingak during his visit to South Korea.

On the 26th, citizens are seen relaxing at the cafe located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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There are mixed opinions on whether President Trump's repeated overtures could serve as an incentive to bring Chairman Kim to the negotiating table. Regarding the possibility of easing sanctions, some point out that North Korea has already received considerable economic compensation through its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, so the practical benefits may not be significant. Hong Min, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, "President Trump's repeated offers indicate that there has been little communication between North Korea and the United States," adding, "A summit will only become possible if demands such as recognition as a nuclear state and peaceful coexistence are met."

Meanwhile, Choe Son Hui, North Korea's Foreign Minister and a key diplomatic and security aide to Chairman Kim, visited Russia, met with President Vladimir Putin, and held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian side stated during the talks, "We fully support North Korea's efforts and measures to safeguard the country's current status, security interests, and sovereign rights." This is interpreted as expressing support for North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, which the country refers to as a "sovereign right."

President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to meet with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un as he set out on his Asia tour.
On October 26, 2025, vehicles were moving on the Unification Bridge in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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Yang Moojin, Distinguished Professor at the University of North Korean Studies, stated, "Foreign Minister Choe's recent visits to China and Russia were intended to prevent China and Russia from being sidelined if North Korea-U.S. talks resume," adding, "With the diplomatic burden of a North Korea-U.S. summit now gone, only Chairman Kim's decision remains before a meeting can take place."