Trump says exchanges with Kim Jong-un 'very positive,' seeks to revive North Korea outreach

President Donald Trump reported on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has responded to his messages, describing the exchanges as "very positive" and signaling an intent to revive engagement with Pyongyang.

When questioned about Kim's lack of public response following Trump's Sunday social media post about reducing joint military drills with Seoul, Trump stated that the North Korean leader "has done so," without providing further specifics. He reiterated that the exchanges are "very positive."

Trump met Kim three times previously to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but negotiations collapsed abruptly. Experts suggest this breakdown may have significantly increased distrust within the North Korean regime, which is now reportedly close to Russia.

During his first term, Trump had previously suspended summer military exercises with Seoul to facilitate dialogue with Pyongyang. He also highlighted on Sunday that Seoul had not supported Washington's "denuclearize" Iran initiative, a point he reiterated on Monday. Additionally, Trump claimed South Korea convinced the Biden administration to lower its contribution to shared military spending.

Responding to accusations that his administration favors countries like North Korea and Russia over traditional allies such as Canada and Oman, Trump asserted that his decisions make the Korean Peninsula "safer." He stated that Kim has always treated him with respect and understands him well.