Unification Ministry Re-emphasizes APEC Summit as Prime Opportunity for Inter-Korean-U.S. Talks
Unification Ministry: APEC 'Best Opportunity' for North Korea-U.S.-South Korea Summit
The Unification Ministry has once again emphasized that the 2025 APEC summit, to be held in Gyeongju, presents a crucial opportunity for a meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States. This statement follows recent overtures by U.S. President Donald Trump inviting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to talks, fueling hopes for progress in the Korean Peninsula peace process. The Ministry highlighted that APEC, as a multilateral diplomatic forum, can provide a natural setting for the two leaders to meet, and affirmed its commitment to continued diplomatic efforts to facilitate a summit.
During a regular briefing on the morning of October 27, 2025, Unification Ministry Spokesperson Koo Byung-sam, in response to a question about President Trump's invitation to Kim Jong-un, stated, "APEC is a good opportunity for the North Korean and U.S. leaders to meet." He expressed the government's willingness to provide comprehensive support and dedicate every effort to ensure a North Korea-U.S. summit can be held during the APEC summit. Koo also commented on North Korea's movements, noting that cleaning activities had been observed near Panmunjom over the weekend, but assessed these as routine. However, he acknowledged that these movements could be interpreted as positive signs suggesting the possibility of renewed dialogue between the two countries.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young also stressed the need for the two leaders to meet at the APEC summit during a press conference on October 24, 2025, noting various activities observed around Panmungak, including beautification efforts and general cleanup. Minister Chung suggested that these movements may be preparatory steps for a resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States, and pledged to make every effort to ensure that APEC facilitates a positive trajectory for North Korea-U.S. relations. In particular, Minister Chung emphasized that this APEC summit could be a crucial catalyst for advancing the Korean Peninsula peace process, expressing hope that the two countries can build mutual trust and resume denuclearization negotiations through constructive dialogue.
Meanwhile, as he embarked on his Asian tour on October 25, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would meet with Kim Jong-un if the North Korean leader contacted him, and that he was "100 percent open" to talks, further increasing the possibility of a North Korea-U.S. summit during the APEC summit. Trump's remarks are interpreted as a demonstration of his willingness to resume dialogue with North Korea, and are expected to have a positive impact on the Korean Peninsula peace process. However, analysts point out that differences in positions between the two countries remain, and challenges remain before an actual summit can take place. Nevertheless, with both leaders expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue, there is growing anticipation that constructive discussions can be held through the APEC summit.
