Will Kim's 'fond memories' of Trump lead to their reunion? Analysts do not rule it out

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.

- Wendy Teo South Korea Correspondent

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.

“If the US drops its hollow obsession with denuclearisation and wants to pursue peaceful coexistence with North Korea based on the recognition of reality, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the US,” North Korean state media reported Mr Kim as saying.

Dr Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told The Straits Times that “an initial agreement centred on a freeze” in nuclear weapon development could be a provisional deal that Mr Trump will likely accept, given his predilection for outcomes.

“Given that North Korea is currently firmly rejecting denuclearisation talks, pursuing a freeze may be the only realistic choice.

“The challenge would then lie in how to move beyond the freeze, to subsequent stages,” he added.

Dr Cho believes Pyongyang is likely seeking “a small deal” in improving relations with the US and achieving some sanctions relief, without compromising its nuclear stockpile.

Mr Trump, on his part, has repeatedly expressed his interest to rekindle his bromance with “the little rocket man”, his nickname for Mr Kim.