Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha: "No Signs of a North Korea-U.S. Summit at Gyeongju APEC"

"Possibility Remains Open, but No Signs Yet"

On October 17 (local time), Kang Kyung-wha, the Ambassador to the United States, stated at a parliamentary audit held in New York that there are currently no signs of a North Korea-United States summit being arranged in connection with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to take place in Gyeongju, South Korea, at the end of this month.

Kang Kyung-wha, the Ambassador to the United States, is reporting on her duties at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee (FAUC) audit held on the 17th (local time) at the Republic of Korea Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan, New York. New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

Ambassador Kang made this statement in response to a question from Assemblyman Kim Taeho of the People Power Party during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee (FAUC) audit held at the Republic of Korea Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan on the same day.

Ambassador Kang explained, “President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness for a North Korea-United States summit, and there have been some recent signs from North Korea as well, but there are no concrete indications yet. While we are always open to the possibility, at present, there are no signs of such a meeting taking place.”

When asked whether she believes that if Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea were to meet with President Trump, his objective would be to gain recognition for North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons, she replied, “Since there are currently no signs of a North Korea-United States summit being arranged, it is difficult to predict what stance North Korea might take. However, the United States has repeatedly stated its position that it is willing to begin dialogue without preconditions.”

Regarding the possibility of a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju, she said, “Since we are in a position to coordinate between the United States and China, it is difficult for me to give a specific answer.”

Recently, as trade tensions between the United States and China have flared up again, concerns are growing over renewed conflict between the two countries. In response to China’s move to strengthen export controls on rare earth elements, President Trump has announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff starting in November. However, in an interview with Fox News on this day, President Trump said regarding the possibility of a United States-China summit, “I will meet with President Xi within two weeks,” adding, “I believe things will go well with China, but a fair agreement is necessary.”