We begin this morning with the U.S., Japan bilateral summit and the U.S. President Donald Trump's view of the latest missile launches by North Korea.<br />Contrary to his national security adviser and his Japanese counterpart with whom he was holding a joint news conference, Mr. Trump said he does not think Pyeongyang's launches were a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.<br />President Trump and Prime Minister Abe, however, reaffirmed their commitment to work closely to achieve North Korea's denuclearization.<br />The two leaders did not announce new developments on trade. <br />Arirang News' Oh Jung-hee has the details. <br />Dismissing concerns about North Korea's launches of short range missiles earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted... there has been no nuclear or long-range ballistic missile tests... and said he'll someday strike a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.<br />Fielding questions at a news conference in Japan after his summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday,... Trump was asked whether he views the North's missile launches as a violation of UN sanctions.<br />"Perhaps he wants to get attention and perhaps not. Who knows? It doesn't matter. All I know is that there have been no nuclear tests. There've been no ballistic missiles going out. There have been no long range missiles going out and I think that someday we'll have a deal."<br />On the other hand, his Japanese counterpart said Pyeongyang's launch of (quote)"short range ballistic missiles" violates UN Security Council resolutions.<br />"North Korea's May 9 short-range ballistic missile launch violates the U.N. resolutions and it is extremely regrettable, as I repeatedly said so. At the same time, I would like to again express my respect in the new approach taken between President Trump and Chairman Kim."<br />Abe once again floated the idea of having a summit with Kim Jong-un to solve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in 1970s and 80s... and said he will attach no conditions on having such summit.<br />On the trade front, Trump pressed Abe on what he called an "unbelievably large imbalance" and said he hopes their trade could be fair and reciprocal.<br />"We have an unbelievably large imbalance as you know trade imbalance which has been there for many, many years. Japan having the big advantage. But I think we will have a deal with Japan."<br />The U.S. is considering putting high tariffs on Japan's exports of auto and auto parts.<br />But it's expected the specifics about their bilateral trade agreement will be signed in August, as Trump has tweeted (quote)"much will wait" until Japan's July elections.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News. <br />
