North Korea's state-run news agency reported over the weekend that U.S. President Donald Trump sent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un an "excellent" letter... and that Kim would "seriously contemplate" the content.
The White House confirmed that and said "correspondence between the two leaders has been ongoing."
What does this exchange mean especially coming as we kick off an important week of summit diplomacy in this part of the world? Let's get an in-depth analysis.
Live on the line for us is Sean King, Senior VP at New York-based Park Strategies and University of Notre Dame Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Affairs Affiliated Scholar.
Sean, welcome to the program.
Now, judging from the little we've found out about President Trump's letter to Kim Jong-un and his reaction to it... plus the timing of this exchange - two days after Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a visit to the North, what are you making out of this? What's the sentiment like in the U.S.?
With this exchange of letters and U.S. pointman on North Korea, Stephen Biegun due in South Korea in the next two days, we kick off a key week in summit diplomacy to end North Korea's nuclear program. Presidents Xi and Trump are set to discuss their trade war and possibly North Korea at the G20 gathering in Osaka, Japan, this weekend. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is also scheduled to sit down with President Xi. What are some key observation points we should be on the look out for?
Mr. Trump will travel to Seoul as soon as the G20 wraps up this Saturday. Although South Korea's presidential Blue House has denied confirmation, some experts suggest Trump might arrange a meeting with Kim at the border between North and South Korea.
How likely is this scenario, in your view, and what could come out of this meeting, if it turns out to be true.
Sean King, VP at Park Strategies and one of our go to Asian affairs experts... many thanks for your insights today.