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APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting

Trump's Potential APEC Summit Attendance Raises Questions About North Korea Diplomacy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

With less than 100 days before the Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea, speculation is mounting about whether US President Donald Trump will seek to reengage with North Korea if he attends the high-profile gathering. Trump's openness to reengaging with Kim Jong-un has been a recurring theme, but the unpalatable fact for him is that much will hinge on whether Kim will accede to any diplomatic feeler from the US president. Analysts predict that a potential meeting between Trump and Kim could lead to a diplomatic gesture, but doubts remain over the prospects for reengagement as Pyongyang appears to have little appetite for talks with Washington.

Key Takeaways:

  • The White House has not announced whether Trump will join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 31 to November 1.
  • Andrew Yeo, SK-Korea Foundation chair at the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies, expects some effort to be made by the Trump administration to see if Kim might meet with Trump, but it will be Kim who decides whether a meeting is possible.
  • Rob Rapson, former acting US ambassador to South Korea, notes that while it is impossible to rule out a visit or meeting between Trump and Kim, it would be a bold move given the current state of North Korea-US relations.
  • The likelihood of Trump attending the APEC summit is "considerably high," according to South Korea's nominee for foreign minister, Cho Hyun.
  • A potential meeting between Trump and Kim would likely focus on the North's nuclear quandary, with Trump reiterating his commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea.
  • However, many believe that it might be more difficult than past negotiations to seek a denuclearization deal with the North due to its nuclear and ballistic missile advancements.
  • The US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities may have reinforced Pyongyang's belief in maintaining its nuclear "treasure sword" rather than bargaining it away.
  • Analysts anticipate that Trump's engagement with Pyongyang, if realized, could move along with the new South Korean administration's policy to improve inter-Korean relations.
  • Close policy coordination between the US and South Korea is crucial to avoid unnecessary diplomatic friction, analysts note.

Statistics:

  • 100 days left before the Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea.
  • Three meetings have taken place between Trump and Kim: Singapore in June 2018, Hanoi in February 2019, and the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom in June 2019.
  • Pyongyang appears to have little appetite for talks with Washington, relying heavily on Moscow for food, fuel, military support, and other forms of aid.
  • The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between North Korea and Russia was signed in June 2022.
  • The North Korean diplomats in New York refused to accept a letter from Trump aimed at reestablishing communication channels between Washington and Pyongyang.

Sources:

  • Yonhap News Agency, "With 100 days left, questions emerge on Trump's North Korea diplomacy" (July 21, 2025).
  • Brookings Institution, "Kim and Trump might meet at APEC summit" (via email with Andrew Yeo, July 2025).
  • NK News, "North Korea refuses to accept Trump's letter aimed at reestablishing communication channels" (July 2025).
  • CSIS, "The Geopolitics of the Korean Peninsula" ( Victor Cha, July 2025).
  • South Korea's presidential office, "Invitation letters sent to APEC member economies" (July 2025).
  • South Korea's nominee for foreign minister, Cho Hyun, parliamentary hearing (July 2025).

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