North Korean Silence Signals Trump-Kim Summit Unlikely, US and South Korean Officials Say

Prospects for a Trump-Kim summit next month have dimmed, with US and South Korean officials pointing to silence from Pyongyang as a signal that no meeting is likely. Donald Trump himself has downplayed the chances, stating: 'I'm not sure that anybody's asking for a meeting.' North Korean state media has indicated that Pyongyang would attach tough conditions to any agreement for a bilateral summit, potentially including sanctions relief. At the same time, Kim Jong Un's powerful sister said the two leaders had an 'excellent' relationship. The mixed signals from North Korea — hardened public conditions alongside warm language about the leaders' rapport — come as officials in Washington and Seoul assess the likelihood of a high-stakes diplomatic encounter. No date, venue or confirmed agenda has been announced.