Asian leaders signalled a move towards greater engagement with Pyongyang as they gave a broad welcome to the easing of tensions brought about by the historic summit between US president Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.
China suggested it would push for sanctions relief, while Japan may seek its own summit with North Korea, highlighting the risk that Mr Trump’s enthusiastic embrace of Mr Kim could undermine the official US policy of exerting “maximum pressure” on Pyongyang.
The moves to engage came even as Asian capitals expressed their surprise at Mr Trump’s unexpected decision to halt “provocative” US military exercises with South Korea. Allies and rivals alike suggested they had no advance notice of the announcement.