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Will ‘fond memories’ spark a Trump-Kim reunion? Analysts don’t rule it out

FILE — President Donald Trump with Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, at Panmunjom, June 30, 2019. North Korea’s leader, in remarks reported by state media on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, said he had “good memories” of President Trump and saw no reason not to meet him again — as long as the United States stops insisting on dismantling his country’s nuclear arsenal. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)

US President Donald Trump meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Panmunjom on June 30, 2019.

PHOTO: ERIN SCHAFF/NYTIMES

Wendy Teo

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SEOUL – Analysts say a snap Trump-Kim summit could happen while US President Donald Trump is in South Korea for October’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ meeting, especially after positive signals from Pyongyang.

Expectations of a possible meeting were raised after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a parliamentary speech on Sept 21 that he was open to talking to Mr Trump, whom he has “fond memories of”, as long as

talk of North Korea denuclearisation is kept off the agenda

Will ‘fond memories’ spark a Trump-Kim reunion? Analysts don’t rule it out

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