(MENAFN- Asia Times)
Japan's Asahi Shimbun is that US President Donald Trump probably won't visit the demilitarized zone (DMZ) when he visits South Korea in early November due to security concerns raised by a stream of insults he's exchanged with leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump is scheduled to hold a bilateral summit in Seoul with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on November 7.
The Japanese newspaper cites a "source" familiar with bilateral relations as saying that US and South Korean officials are worried that Trump might become a target if he visits the heavily fortified area that divides the two nations during his trip.
A stop at the DMZ was included in the initial draft itinerary for Trump's visit on November 7-8 but is not unlikely to occur, the source says.
Trump, among other things, has called Kim a 'Little Rocket Man,' in a recent verbal slugfest, while Kim fired back in a September 21 statement by calling Trump a 'gangster fond of playing with fire.'
Asahi noted that criticism of Supreme Leader Kim is considered the most serious taboo in North Korea.
A defector from North Korea who was once a member of the Workers' Party of Korea was quoted as saying, 'Anyone who ignores criticism of the supreme leader will find their own position in danger.'
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