US President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his recent request for a conversation, describing the exchange as “very positive” without providing further details.
Trump made the remarks at the White House after being asked why Kim had not yet responded to his outreach. “How do you know he hasn’t responded?” Trump said, before confirming that the North Korean leader had replied.
The development came a day after Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump has described the annual drills as costly and inappropriate, while arguing that they send a hostile signal to North Korea.
Trump also criticised South Korea for declining to support the US-Israeli war against Iran. He questioned whether Washington should continue protecting countries that do not assist the United States in military operations.
South Korean officials said the exercises would proceed as planned and stressed that they were not intended to attack North Korea or increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula. President Lee Jae Myung said the drills were aimed at protecting the safety and peaceful lives of South Koreans.
Trump and Kim last met in 2019, but negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear programme later collapsed. Since then, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in renewing direct talks with Pyongyang.
North Korea has meanwhile strengthened its ties with Russia and maintained close relations with China. North Korean troops have also fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Despite Pyongyang’s cautious approach to Trump’s latest outreach, analysts say another meeting between the two leaders remains possible. Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said North Korea may choose to wait before responding more fully to Trump’s overtures.
Trump, however, said he still understands Kim and believes the North Korean leader understands him, suggesting that he remains open to renewed diplomacy with Pyongyang.
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