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9h ago

South Korea Halts Panmunjom Visits During APEC, Fueling Talk of Possible Trump–Kim Encounter

The pause follows a United Nations Command request despite no confirmed U.S.–North Korea talks.

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This undated file image shows soldiers standing guard on the southern side of the inter-Korean border at the truce village of Panmunjon. (Yonhap)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump hold hands across the Demarcation Line in the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom during their meeting on June 30, 2019, in this file photo released by the Korean Central News Agency on July 1. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • The Unification Ministry said it will suspend its special field trips to Panmunjom from late October to early November.
  • The United Nations Command will reportedly pause its separate visitor program for foreign guests during the APEC period.
  • Speculation centers on a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un during the Oct. 31–Nov. 1 APEC summit in Gyeongju, possibly at Panmunjom.
  • CNN reported U.S. officials privately discussed arranging such a meeting, but there has been no communication between Washington and Pyongyang.
  • Access to the Joint Security Area has already been limited to policy visitors since mid-2023 after a U.S. soldier’s unauthorized crossing, and analysts say the latest pause could also reflect security precautions for the summit.