US President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his recent outreach, while praising the relationship between the two leaders and arguing that their communication helps make the security situation safer. Trump said he and Kim understood each other, despite the fact that they have not met during Trump's second term in the White House. "I understand him. He understands me," Trump said while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. The president said he believed his relationship with Kim was contributing to greater stability and described his engagement with the North Korean leader as an important element of his approach to dealing with North Korea.
Trump previously met Kim three times during his first presidency, but the two leaders have not held a face-to-face meeting since Trump returned to office. Trump also said Kim had responded to his recent overtures, although he did not provide details about the nature or substance of the communication. Asked why Kim had not replied to his requests for a conversation since Trump returned to office last year, the president challenged the premise of the question. "How do you know he hasn't responded?" Trump told reporters, suggesting that communication may have taken place without being publicly disclosed.
The comments came a day after Trump announced a reduction in US military exercises with South Korea. Trump criticised Seoul for what he described as a failure to assist Washington in its war against Iran. He has said the US military campaign against Tehran is intended to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The decision to scale back military drills with South Korea has added another dimension to Washington's approach towards its key Asian ally.
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The US and South Korea have maintained a longstanding military alliance, with joint exercises serving as an important part of their preparations for potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has historically condemned such drills, describing them as rehearsals for invasion. Trump's latest comments suggest that his administration is weighing military cooperation with Seoul alongside efforts to maintain direct communication with Pyongyang.
Trump's relationship with Kim has been a defining feature of his North Korea policy. During his first term, the two leaders moved from exchanging threats and hostile rhetoric to holding three high-profile meetings, including a summit in Singapore in 2018. Although those discussions did not produce a lasting agreement on North Korea's nuclear programme, Trump has continued to present his personal relationship with Kim as an asset that could help reduce tensions.
North Korea remains a nuclear-armed state with an active missile programme, making relations between Washington and Pyongyang a major security concern in East Asia. Trump's latest remarks indicate that he wants to revive the personal diplomacy that characterised his first term. However, the absence of a confirmed meeting during his second term and the limited public information about Kim's alleged response leave questions about the current state of direct engagement between the two leaders.
Trump's comments also come amid a broader reshaping of US foreign and defence policy. His criticism of South Korea, combined with his outreach to Kim, signals an approach that places significant emphasis on direct negotiations and personal relationships with foreign leaders. Whether those ties can lead to renewed talks over North Korea's nuclear programme remains uncertain, but Trump has made clear that he believes his relationship with Kim can play a role in reducing tensions.
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