Trump's 'I don't know' clouds prospect of meeting Kim Jong-un at APEC

The Korea Times - Oct 20, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt Monday on whether he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China, but experts say the possibility has not been ruled out and a surprise encounter remains within reach. Asked whether he expected to secure a meeting with Kim on the sidelines of the APEC summit, scheduled for Nov. 18-19 in Shenzhen, Trump gave an equivocal answer. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t know,” he told reporters, before stressing his personal rapport with the North Korean leader. “I’m not sure that anybody’s asking for a meeting. But my relationship with Kim Jong-un is very good.” The remarks tempered expectations Trump himself had been building for months. On Oct. 12, he hinted that he might meet Kim during APEC, saying “That’ll be exciting, won’t it? But I get along with him.” In August, Trump said that he plans to meet the North Korean leader at some point this year. Trump met Kim three times between 2018 and 2019 — first in Singapore in June 2018, then in Hanoi in February 20

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President Lee calls for all-out efforts to boost housing supply

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Lee to hold 2nd plenary meeting on deregulation this week

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Man sent to prosecutors for allegedly murdering mother-in-law, kidnapping wife

Man sent to prosecutors for allegedly murdering mother-in-law, kidnapping wife

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[COVER STORY] Should women serve? Korea's female conscription debate is back as troop pool shrinks

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Unification ministry urges N. Korea to halt armistice violations, respond to dialogue efforts

Unification ministry urges N. Korea to halt armistice violations, respond to dialogue efforts

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Key gov't-led DMZ projects remain stalled as UNC denies clearance over safety risks

Key gov't-led DMZ projects remain stalled as UNC denies clearance over safety risks

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N. Korea's Kim tours light industry expo, touts regional policy achievements

N. Korea's Kim tours light industry expo, touts regional policy achievements

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Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' wins Korean film critics award

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Taiwan content agency partners with 'The Roundup' producer at Busan film festival

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Illit's 'Magnetic' becomes fastest debut song by K-pop group to reach 900 mil. streams

Illit's 'Magnetic' becomes fastest debut song by K-pop group to reach 900 mil. streams

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Inside EJAE's Seoul wedding: 'KPop Demon Hunters' singer unveils bridal photos

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'KPop Demon Hunters' singer-songwriter EJAE ties knot with producer Sam Kim

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