Since his second inauguration, U.S. President Donald Trump has positioned himself as a key player in resolving the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He recently announced plans to reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reaffirming that North Korea is a nuclear power and emphasizing his strong relationship with Kim.
NBC News reported that Trump addressed North Korea during a press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 31. He confirmed affirmatively when asked whether he planned to reach out to Kim. Trump said he would take action at some point and stressed, “I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un,” adding, “I have gotten along fantastically well with him. This is very important.”
During the press conference, Trump recalled calling Kim “little rocket man” during his first term in 2017. He said, “One day I received a call saying they wanted to meet. We met and have maintained a good relationship.” Trump said they remain in contact but did not specify the nature of their communication.
Trump also described Kim as the leader of “a big nuclear nation” and called him a “smart guy”, asserting that he knows him very well.
On his inauguration day, January 20, Trump referred to North Korea as a “nuclear nation”. He repeated this statement during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on February 13.
Earlier in June, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that North Korea’s nuclear arsenal had increased to 50 warheads, up by 20 from the previous year.
Trump, who met with Kim three times during his first term from 2018 to 2019 for denuclearization talks, emphasized that he still has a good relationship with him. Recalling his 2019 visit to Panmunjom, he said he stepped onto the military demarcation line and crossed over, joking that he wasn’t sure the Secret Service approved, but they weren’t thrilled.
In a Fox News interview on January 23, Trump praised Kim, calling him a smart leader rather than a religious fanatic. During his March 13 meeting with Rutte, Trump said he hoped to rebuild ties with Kim, acknowledged their good relationship, and added that they would see what happens.
