DMZ likely off itinerary as Trump plans Asia trip to push allies on N. Korea

US President Donald Trump will ask US allies to pressure North Korea on its nuclear program in an upcoming trip to the Asia-Pacific region.

The White House says Trump will travel in November to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from November 3 to November 14. Trump will also stop in Hawaii.

The White House said that in South Korea, Trump will meet with President Moon Jae-in and “call on the international community to join together in maximizing pressure on North Korea.”

Though an early draft of the itinerary reportedly contained a stop at the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported Monday it would likely be skipped because of security concerns. The paper said officials in the Washington and Seoul fear the president could become a target of North Korean cannons if he visits the heavily fortified frontier.

Tensions between the US and North Korea have ratcheted up in recent months, with the US threatening to hit Pyongyang following missile tests and Trump insulting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as “little rocket man.” Kim has also slinged epithets at Trump.

In Japan, Trump will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and participate in a meeting with families of “Japanese citizens abducted by the North Korean regime.”

Trump will also meet with leaders of China, Vietnam and the Philippines and attend two trade summits.

— with AP