A senior aide to US President Donald Trump underscored the need Friday for dialogue to address security issues, saying that Trump is a person who "can show up" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Richard Grenell, the special presidential envoy for special missions on North Korea and other issues, made the remarks as Trump has voiced his openness to reengaging with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang.
"I don't think that talking means that you're weak. I actually think talking is a tactic to get to a goal," Grenell said during the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
"So, we've seen with President Trump. He can show up with Kim Jong-un and we need to be able to have these conversations with the Russians," he added as he highlighted the importance of diplomatic engagement in pursuit of an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.
During a media interview last month, Trump said he will reach out to Kim again for talks, raising the prospects of the resumption of his direct diplomacy with Kim. During his first term, Trump held three in-person meetings with Kim, starting with the first summit in Singapore in 2018.
Grenell affirmed that the Trump administration does not seek any "regime change" in a foreign country.
"We articulate very clearly under Donald Trump. We don't do regime change," he said.
"We are going to deal with the countries that are in front of us, and our criteria is not how do we make that country better? (but) how do we make America better, stronger and more prosperous for the people that live here."
In December, Trump named Grenell, former US ambassador to Germany, as the envoy for special missions that he said covers "some of the hottest spots" around the world, including North Korea. (Yonhap)
