Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit later this month, possibly at the border village of Panmunjom, the unification minister suggested Tuesday. Minister Chung Dong-young raised the possibility during a parliamentary audit session in response to a question by Rep. Yoon Hu-duk of the ruling Democratic Party.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Chung stated that based on the analysis of open information and data, both the U.S. and North Korean leaders appear ready for talks. He noted that Kim's recent remarks about having "good memories" of Trump indicate a conditional willingness to meet. Kim made these comments at a key parliamentary meeting last month, expressing that North Korea is open to talks with the U.S. if its demand for the North's denuclearization is dropped.

Trump is expected to visit South Korea in late October to attend APEC events in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. Chung highlighted that the determination of President Trump is crucial, citing Panmunjom, located on the border between the two Koreas, as the most likely venue for the meeting. Chung suggested the summit could occur if Trump shows willingness to discuss South Korea-U.S. military exercises, which Pyongyang sees as invasion preparations.

The minister also emphasized that Kim Jong-un is the only person in North Korea who can decide on resolving the issue of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War. He mentioned that his ministry believes an inter-Korean summit must happen by 2026. However, Chung acknowledged the realistic challenges of organizing a summit before South Korea's local elections scheduled for June next year.