Kim Jong-un, Trump May Meet in North Korea's Wonsan

Possibility of Kim Jong-un-Trump Meeting in North Korea's Wonsan Raised

Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, cautiously predicted the possibility of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un in Wonsan, North Korea, during an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on October 28, 2025. In the interview, Researcher Hong cited recent remarks and past actions of President Donald Trump as grounds for this possibility, providing an analysis of the potential impact on the Korean Peninsula situation. His remarks are drawing attention as they could signal a new phase in North Korea-U.S. relations, and further discussions are expected to proceed actively. In particular, considering North Korea's geopolitical location and President Trump's past remarks, the symbolism of Wonsan is being emphasized. This suggests that beyond a simple meeting between the two leaders, a forum for in-depth discussions on the security environment of Northeast Asia could be established.

Researcher Hong specifically mentioned the possibility of President Trump and Chairman Kim meeting in Wonsan, North Korea, citing President Trump's past remarks and North Korea's geopolitical importance as the reasons. He reminded that President Trump had previously shown interest in the development of North Korea's coastal resorts, suggesting that Wonsan could emerge as a venue for dialogue between the two leaders. Wonsan is a major city located on North Korea's east coast, and it holds economic and military significance for the North Korean regime. The possibility of a meeting in Wonsan is seen as a symbolic step showing North Korea's willingness to open up to the outside world, beyond simply a meeting between the two leaders. Furthermore, considering President Trump's past meeting with Chairman Kim at Panmunjom, the possibility of a unconventional venue selection cannot be ruled out.

President Trump Expresses Hope for Dialogue with Kim Jong-un... Hints at Visit to North Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump attracted international attention on October 27, 2025, by expressing his hope for dialogue with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and hinting at the possibility of a visit to North Korea. This is interpreted as a statement suggesting that North Korea-U.S. relations may be entering a new phase, raising expectations that it could have a positive impact on the Korean Peninsula situation. President Trump's remarks increase the possibility of resuming North Korea-U.S. dialogue, which had been stalled, and are expected to provide new momentum for resolving the issue of North Korea's denuclearization. In particular, the fact that President Trump directly mentioned the possibility of visiting North Korea suggests his active will to improve North Korea-U.S. relations. In this regard, the South Korean government actively supports the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue and has stated that it will spare no effort to provide all necessary support for the advancement of the Korean Peninsula peace process. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instructed relevant ministries to prepare for all possibilities related to the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue and to maintain a close cooperation system.

It is suggested that President Trump's remarks may go beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric and could lead to actual action. In the past, President Trump has shown unpredictable behavior, and there is speculation that he may make unconventional decisions to resolve the North Korean issue. In addition, President Trump has previously expressed interest in developing North Korea's coastal resorts, presenting a vision for North Korea's economic development. Considering these points comprehensively, President Trump's visit to North Korea could not only improve North Korea-U.S. relations but also provide an opportunity to explore new cooperation possibilities for North Korea's economic development. However, some argue that President Trump's visit to North Korea may be a strategic move to create a favorable environment for North Korea's denuclearization negotiations. Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze the possibility of President Trump's visit to North Korea and to understand North Korea's true intentions.

Past Example of Trump-Kim Meeting at Panmunjom

In the past, U.S. President Donald Trump held a historic meeting with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un at Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. This was recorded as the first case of a sitting U.S. president stepping on North Korean soil, and at the time, the world's attention was focused on the Korean Peninsula. The Panmunjom meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim presented new possibilities for North Korea-U.S. relations and raised expectations for the advancement of the Korean Peninsula peace process. At that time, the two leaders agreed to resume denuclearization negotiations and to discuss concrete measures through working-level talks. However, subsequent North Korea-U.S. working-level talks failed to make progress and fell into a stalemate, and North Korea-U.S. relations cooled again. From this past example, it should not be overlooked that a meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim does not necessarily lead to positive results. Therefore, even if North Korea-U.S. dialogue resumes in the future, a careful approach is needed to avoid repeating past failures.

In particular, considering President Trump's unpredictable diplomatic style and North Korea's will to develop nuclear weapons, the uncertainty of North Korea-U.S. relations is still high. It should also be considered that various variables, such as changes in U.S. policy toward North Korea and international sanctions, can affect North Korea-U.S. relations. Therefore, the South Korean government faces the task of preparing for all possibilities in North Korea-U.S. relations and making multifaceted efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the need to build a close cooperation system with neighboring countries, maintain dialogue channels with North Korea, and continuously pursue diplomatic efforts to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process. He also emphasized the need to gather the wisdom and capabilities of the South Korean people to create a new future for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.