US President Donald Trump said he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
Trump also claimed that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons. He described them as “very powerful” during his comments.
The statement came after Trump ordered Pentagon officials to shorten joint military exercises. The exercises involved United States and South Korean forces.
Trump Highlights Relationship With Kim
Speaking during a tour of the White House grounds, Trump discussed his ties with Kim. He said his relationship with the North Korean leader remained positive.
Trump argued that maintaining good relations with Kim was beneficial. He also suggested that stronger leadership could have prevented North Korea’s nuclear buildup.
The US president emphasised that he knew Kim well. However, he did not provide details about a possible meeting date.
History of High-Level Diplomacy
Trump and Kim held several high-profile meetings during Trump’s first term. Their diplomatic engagement attracted global attention between 2018 and 2019.
One meeting took place at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas. During that visit, Trump became the first sitting US president to enter North Korean territory.
Despite early engagement, relations later cooled between the two leaders. Previous exchanges included strong rhetoric and threats before diplomatic talks began.
Meanwhile, experts continue to debate North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. Various estimates suggest the country possesses dozens of nuclear warheads.
Trump’s latest comments have renewed attention on US-North Korea relations. Observers now await further details regarding any potential meeting between the two leaders.
