Trump open to dialogue with North Korea, Seoul's president signals

South Korea's president stated on Wednesday that Trump has demonstrated clear intent to pursue diplomatic channels with North Korea, signalling a potential shift in U.S. policy towards the nuclear-armed state. The remarks suggest Seoul expects renewed efforts at engagement after years of stalled negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.

The South Korean leader's comments reflect Seoul's own strategic positioning as it manages relations with both the United States and its unpredictable neighbour. The assessment of Trump's intentions comes as regional tensions remain elevated, with North Korea continuing to develop its weapons programme and conduct military tests.

In a separate statement, the South Korean president confirmed that the country has no plans to deploy troops to the Middle East should military conflict erupt with Iran. This clarification addresses international concerns about the scope of potential regional involvement and reaffirms Seoul's focus on Korean peninsula security matters.

The remarks underscore South Korea's balancing act between supporting its U.S. alliance while pursuing its own diplomatic initiatives in Northeast Asia. Seoul has previously indicated openness to dialogue with North Korea, viewing negotiation as a path to reducing tensions on the peninsula.