President Donald Trump has publicly stated his intent to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026, citing their prior summits and scaling back U.S.-South Korea military exercises to reduce perceived hostility. Speculation centers on a possible side meeting around the November APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, with some analysts noting Pyongyang as a potential venue. North Korea has offered no confirmed response and maintains that its nuclear status is irreversible, demanding policy shifts from Washington while continuing missile tests and arsenal expansion. Absent preparatory diplomacy or concessions addressing Pyongyang’s conditions, the barriers to a visit—defined as Trump physically entering North Korean territory—remain substantial despite the president’s expressed interest.