North Korea doubts Trump contact, criticizes military drills

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has denied any knowledge of recent communications between her brother and U.S. President Donald Trump. "Regarding the news from Washington that there was recently communication between the leaders of North Korea and the United States, I have no knowledge of it, and perhaps it is the only thing I am unaware of regarding the foreign policy of our top leadership," Kim stated in a message released by the state-run KCNA news agency.

Trump had hinted at a potential meeting with Kim before the end of the year, following earlier claims of "very positive" exchanges. Meanwhile, Seoul and Washington confirmed a reduction in ongoing joint military drills, a move intended to revive dialogue with Pyongyang. However, Kim Yo-jong dismissed the significance of this reduction, asserting that it does not alter the "provocative and offensive" nature of the exercises from North Korea's perspective.

"We pay more attention to the fact that joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea have been constantly carried out and continue, not to the reduction or shortening of individual exercises," she said. Kim maintained that the relationship between Kim Jong-un and Trump "remains excellent," but stressed that U.S. policy, which Pyongyang deems hostile, has not changed. The two leaders met three times between 2018 and 2019 during Trump's presidency, aiming for denuclearization, but negotiations ultimately failed.