Trump to Meet Kim Jong-un in 2026, Seeks Shorter Military Drills

President Donald Trump announced he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2026, while simultaneously requesting an early conclusion to joint military exercises launched by Seoul and Washington. "Yes, I will meet him," Trump responded when asked about a potential meeting with Kim Jong-un before the end of the year, speaking to journalists at the White House. This meeting, which would be the fourth between the two leaders, could potentially take place in November on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China, according to observers. Trump also offered an unusual and precise estimate of North Korea's nuclear arsenal, stating the country possesses "57 nuclear weapons," a figure that contrasts with estimates ranging from 80 to 120 by the South Korean defense minister. "This should never have happened. ... If I had been president, I would not have allowed it," the Republican leader added. Trump has touted a privileged relationship with Kim Jong-un since his first term (2017-2021), despite North Korea being considered a major threat to U.S. security by American intelligence. Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's influential sister, stated Wednesday that she was "not at all aware" of any communication between her brother and Donald Trump. While emphasizing that relations between them remained "excellent," she added that Donald Trump's decision regarding the exercises "does not deserve comment" and is "uninteresting," according to a statement. The decision to shorten joint exercises, initially scheduled to end on August 27, was made after Trump deemed the maneuvers "very insulting to someone who, frankly, during my term, behaved very well." The South Korean military confirmed the exercises would conclude on Friday. This shift represents a significant setback for Seoul, a historic ally of the United States. A South Korean military official acknowledged to AFP that the decision was "unusual." South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun explained to Parliament on Wednesday that Seoul was not forewarned of the decision to shorten the exercises.

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Yes, I will meet him.