N. Korea unlikely to attend APEC summit or hold talks with US: Official

North Korea is unlikely to participate in next week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China or hold talks with the United States on the sidelines, a South Korean presidential official said Thursday (November 12).

"It would be difficult to say there is zero possibility of talks (between North Korea and the United States), but I think the probability might not be high," the official said when asked about the prospects of North Korea joining multilateral diplomatic events or engaging in talks with Washington.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said North Korea's participation in next week's APEC summit was particularly unlikely, adding that the chances of a meeting between Pyongyang and Washington during the event were slim.

The remarks came amid continued speculation over a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the APEC summit, scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday in Shenzhen, China.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet Kim for talks.

Source: Yonhap Agency