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Prime minister says Trump asked if North's leader wants dialogue with U.S.

Published: 14 Mar. 2026, 09:35

LEE JAE-LIM
[email protected]

Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and U.S. President Donald Trump pose for a photo at the White House in Washington on March 13. [PRIME MINISTER'S SECRETARIAT]

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump asked him whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wants dialogue with the United States during their talks at the White House in Washington.

The prime minister made the remarks during a press briefing on the 20-minute talks, underlining Trump's demonstrated interest in the resumption of diplomacy with Pyongyang amid speculation that Trump could seek a meeting with the North Korean leader during his upcoming trip to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"[President Trump] said that he has maintained good relations with Chairman Kim Jong-un," the prime minister said. "And he also asked for my views, saying that he is wondering if Chairman Kim wants dialogue with the United States and President Trump."

During the meeting, the prime minister pointed out South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's remarks that Trump is "the only leader" capable of addressing Korean Peninsula issues.

In response, Trump asked his staff to bring a photo of him and the North Korean leader, which was taken when the two sides met at the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom in June 2019.

The prime minister said that he shared some of his ideas regarding diplomacy with Pyongyang, and that Trump directed his aides to consider steps related to the relations with the North.

Prime Minister Kim did not elaborate on those ideas to the press, citing the need to report them first to Lee.

During a key ruling party congress last month, the North's leader said that Pyongyang has "no reason not to get along with the United States" if Washington withdraws its hostile policy, noting that the prospects of U.S.-North Korea ties "entirely depend on the U.S. attitude." He has shown no interest in inter-Korean dialogue.

Yonhap