Trump calls on North Korea to make deal with US

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - North Korea should “come to the table and make a deal” for the good of its people, U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday.

Trump, who is in South Korea on the second leg of a 12-day visit to east Asia, also insisted he is committed to a denuclearized North Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported.

“I really believe it makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and people of the world,” Trump told a news conference with President Moon Jae-in.

Trump arrived in Seoul after a months-long standoff with Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs.

His fiery language over North Korea -- matched by that from the regime of Kim Jong-un -- has reportedly worried the South as it seeks to de-escalate the crisis.

The U.S. and South Korea would continue to work together to defend their alliance, Trump said.

“We cannot allow North Korea to threaten all that we have built. We have built it very much together and we are very proud of it, also together.”

Trump’s arrival from Japan earlier in the day made him the first American leader in 25 years to pay a state visit to South Korea.

Before his summit with Moon -- their third meeting since both took office this year -- they visited U.S. and Korean troops at Camp Humphreys outside Seoul.

Trump is due to address lawmakers at the National Assembly on Wednesday before moving on to China.