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Trump Confirms Plan to Meet North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un This Year
🇴🇲 Oman /Conflict & Security

Trump Confirms Plan to Meet North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un This Year

From Times of Oman · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.
  • Trump emphasized his positive personal relationship with Kim, stating their rapport is beneficial for international relations.
  • He also commented on North Korea's nuclear capabilities and defended his approach to the Korean Peninsula's security.

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, expressing confidence in their personal relationship as a positive factor for international diplomacy. When questioned by reporters, Trump stated, "Yeah, I will be. I'll be doing this too."

Yeah, I will be. I'll be doing this too.

— Donald TrumpConfirming his expectation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.

Trump highlighted his rapport with Kim, asserting, "I get along with him right. And you know what, the fact that I get along with him, that's a good thing, not a bad thing." He acknowledged North Korea's nuclear arsenal, noting that Kim "has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons," and reiterated his belief that such development should not have been allowed. However, he contrasted his approach with a hypothetical scenario, stating, "If I were president, I wouldn't have allowed it. But he's got 'em. I get along with him very well. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."

I get along with him right. And you know what, the fact that I get along with him, that's a good thing, not a bad thing.

— Donald TrumpDescribing his personal relationship with Kim Jong Un and its perceived benefit.

Defending his strategy, Trump expressed optimism about the region's future under U.S. leadership. "I know Kim Jong Un very well. And he's gonna be fine. As long as we have a smart president, he's gonna be fine. If we have a dumb president, then he's probably not gonna be so fine," he remarked. Trump previously stated that Kim Jong Un has always shown him "great respect," emphasizing their mutual understanding and personal connection. He contrasted this with Kim's reported negative views of previous U.S. presidents, including Biden and Obama.

He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons.

— Donald TrumpCommenting on North Korea's nuclear capabilities.

This planned meeting follows Trump's directive to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea. In a social media post, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with the U.S. agreement to participate in these drills, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un and describing the exercises as costly and inappropriate. If realized, this would mark Trump's first meeting with Kim during his potential second term as president. The two leaders previously met face-to-face three times between 2018 and 2019.

If I were president, I wouldn't have allowed it. But he's got 'em. I get along with him very well. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon.

— Donald TrumpDiscussing North Korea's nuclear development and his approach compared to a hypothetical scenario.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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