Trump to visit South Korea next month for APEC summit: Report

ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump is making preparations to visit South Korea next month to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, CNN reported Saturday, citing multiple Trump administration officials.

South Korea will host the summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju between late October and early November, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung inviting Trump during talks in Washington last month.

"A visit to South Korea is being discussed, which would focus on economic collaboration," a White House official was quoted by CNN, adding the trip also aims to focus on discussions around trade, defense and civil nuclear cooperation.

The officials said there have been serious discussions about a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit but no firm plans are in place, according to CNN.

The news outlet suggested that Trump's potential attendance at APEC may bring about a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the US president voiced hopes to meet Kim during last month's meeting with Lee.

Last month, Lee, during his first summit with Trump in Washington, suggested that the US president meet Kim later this year, in addition to inviting Trump to the summit.

Trump had told Lee he was willing to meet Kim. “We look forward to meeting with him (Kim), and we’ll make relations better,” he said.