Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump is open to engaging in correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with hopes of reviving the progress achieved during their initial summit in 2018, a White House spokesperson revealed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt commented on the matter following a report by NK News. The report, which cited an "informed high-level source," indicated that North Korean diplomats in New York had declined to accept a letter from Trump. This letter was intended to reopen communication channels between Washington and Pyongyang.

Leavitt stated during a press briefing, "The president remains receptive to correspondence with Kim Jong-un, and he'd like to see the progress that was made at that summit in Singapore, which I know you covered in 2018 during his first term." She added that specific details regarding the correspondence would be addressed by the president himself.

The revelation surfaced amidst speculation that Trump might pursue a renewal of personal diplomacy with Kim. This potential initiative follows their three previous meetings: the first in Singapore in 2018, the second in Hanoi in February 2019, and the third at the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom in June 2019.

The report highlighted Trump's efforts to resume dialogue through a letter aimed at Kim. Despite several attempts to deliver the letter directly, North Korean diplomats at the U.N. mission in New York reportedly refused to accept it.

While Trump is open to reengaging with Kim, there are concerns that Kim may not be eager for talks with Washington. This reluctance is attributed to North Korea's reliance on Russia for essential resources such as food, fuel, and military assistance.

In light of these developments, Trump has expressed his intention to reach out to Kim again, emphasizing his ongoing "good" relationship with the North Korean leader. He referred to Kim as a "smart guy" and acknowledged North Korea as a "nuclear power."

The Trump administration has reiterated its dedication to achieving the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea. Meanwhile, South Korea's newly elected President Lee Jae-myung is anticipated to coordinate with Washington on strategies to address Pyongyang's nuclear challenges.