Trump shows clear interest in North Korea dialogue, says Seoul

South Korea's opposition leader Lee Jae Myung has signalled that US President Donald Trump is openly interested in initiating dialogue with North Korea, offering a potential opening in stalled nuclear negotiations.

Lee said he had urged Trump to pursue engagement with Pyongyang during their recent meeting. His remarks suggest the incoming US administration may be prepared to shift towards diplomatic channels with the isolated regime, despite years of failed negotiation attempts.

Nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea have remained deadlocked, with the communist state continuing to advance its weapons programme. The region has grown increasingly concerned over Pyongyang's ballistic missile tests and expanding arsenal.

South Korea has long advocated for dialogue as a path to de-escalation on the Korean Peninsula. Lee's comments reflect Seoul's efforts to encourage Washington to explore diplomatic solutions with the North, which has shown little willingness to abandon its nuclear ambitions in previous rounds of negotiations.

The potential shift in approach comes as regional tensions remain high, with observers closely watching whether Trump's administration will adopt a more conciliatory stance compared to previous US positions on North Korea.