South Korea urges North Korea not to miss chance for U.S. talks

March 16 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's unification minister said Sunday that North Korea should not miss an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the United States, citing continued interest from President Donald Trump in talks with Pyongyang.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young made the remarks while speaking with reporters on his way to work at the Seoul Government Complex.

Chung said recent discussions between South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Trump reaffirmed the U.S. president's strong interest in resuming dialogue with North Korea.

"President Trump still has strong interest and determination regarding U.S.-North Korea talks," Chung said. "North Korea should not overlook this opportunity."

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Chung said a summit between the United States and North Korea would serve the interests of all parties, including North Korea, the United States and the Korean Peninsula as a whole.

"It is not simply a question of whether such a meeting is likely," he said. "It is an issue that must ultimately take place."

Chung noted that North Korea has emphasized its "right to development" and "right to security" during its recent ruling party congress.

He said improved relations through U.S.-North Korea dialogue could help create the conditions needed for North Korea's development while promoting peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

Chung also suggested Trump remains interested in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after an earlier opportunity to meet during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju did not materialize.

According to Chung, Trump's recent comments indicate the U.S. president still wants to meet Kim.

However, the minister said he was not aware of any direct contact between Washington and Pyongyang regarding a potential summit.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is visiting the United States, said during a press briefing Thursday that Trump asked whether Kim Jong Un was interested in dialogue with Washington.

Kim told reporters he responded that Trump was the only Western leader to have previously held direct talks with the North Korean leader and described him as a potential "peacemaker" capable of helping resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260316010004513