Trump's Unexpected Remark: "China Helps Us Regarding North Korea"

Mentioned During Trade Agreement Signing
"Chairman Kim Respects President Xi"
Possibility of Expecting Role of President Xi Jinping and China Amid Stalemate in North Korea Negotiations

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned on the 15th (local time) that "China is helping us regarding North Korea." He specifically said that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un holds Chinese President Xi Jinping in very high regard. This is interpreted as an expectation of President Xi's role through the trade agreement amid the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. relations.

President Trump's remarks came during the signing ceremony of the Phase 1 U.S.-China trade agreement held that day. He emphasized, "They (China) have been very, very helpful regarding Kim Jong-un."

This can be seen as a scene where President Trump hopes that President Xi will play an active role in bringing North Korea back to negotiations amid the ongoing deadlock in North Korea-U.S. relations.

President Trump also said, "Chairman Kim has great respect for President Xi." He added, "This is a very, very beautiful chess game or poker game."

Regarding this, there is an interpretation that beyond his personal relationship with Chairman Kim, President Trump revealed his intention to promote dialogue with North Korea by utilizing the relationship between Chairman Kim and President Xi.

Following the U.S. Treasury Department's designation of lodging facilities in China linked to the illegal dispatch of North Korean overseas workers as sanctions targets a day earlier, and combined with President Trump's remarks that day, his determination to restart North Korea-U.S. negotiations by leveraging China is evident.