Trump’s surprise DMZ trip canceled due to weather

US President Donald Trump’s surprise plans to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas were canceled Wednesday due to the weather.

Trump, who wraps up his two-day state visit to South Korea on Wednesday, attempted to fly to the DMZ early Wednesday, but the trip was canceled due to weather conditions, Cheong Wa Dae said.

According to Seoul’s presidential office, President Moon Jae-in had flown by helicopter to a location near the border and was waiting for Trump when the plans were canceled. 

(Yonhap)

Although the DMZ was not included in Trump’s official itinerary, the US leader had discussed the matter with Moon during Tuesday’s one-on-one summit talks, a Seoul official said.

According to the official, Moon suggested that he accompany Trump on the trip to the DMZ, and that the trip would aid the US leader in assessing the situation for himself.

Ahead of Trump’s visit, Korean and US media had speculated on whether the US leader would make the visit, as all US presidents since the late Ronald Reagan had made the visit. Trump himself had kept the media guessing, saying “Well, I’d rather not say but you’ll be surprised” when asked about his plans regarding the DMZ.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)