US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were unable to arrange a meeting during his ongoing visit to South Korea, despite growing speculation of a possible diplomatic encounter.

Speaking at the start of his summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, Trump said, “I know Kim Jong-un very well. We get along very well. We really weren’t able to work out timing.” The comment came as Trump attends Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gatherings and a bilateral summit with Lee.

The two leaders have met three times in the past — in Singapore (2018), Vietnam (2019), and the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom later that year — all aimed at achieving an agreement on North Korea’s denuclearization in exchange for US sanctions relief. However, talks broke down over differences in sequencing and verification measures.

Panmunjom had been considered the likely venue for a potential fourth meeting, but Trump clarified that no such meeting would take place this week. “We’ll work very hard with Kim Jong-un and with everybody on getting things straightened out because that makes sense,” he added, expressing hope for future engagement.

Before his arrival in South Korea, Trump had indicated openness to meeting Kim again, even hinting at extending his stay if necessary. North Korea, however, has yet to respond to his overtures and recently test-fired nuclear-capable cruise missiles, signaling renewed tension in the region.

Trump’s comments underscore continued US interest in re-engaging Pyongyang while balancing security cooperation with Seoul amid broader regional challenges tied to China and the Asia-Pacific economic order.