Trump says he plans to meet Kim Jong Un later this year

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, reigniting speculation about a potential fourth summit between the two leaders. The declaration, made during a White House press event, underscores Trump’s continued emphasis on personal diplomacy with Pyongyang, despite the lack of progress on nuclear disarmament during his first term.

“Yeah, I will,” Trump said when asked if he intended to hold in-person talks with Kim, describing their relationship as “very good.” He emphasized his ability to “get along” with the North Korean leader, a sentiment that aligns with his previous assertions of a strong rapport. However, the specifics of the proposed meeting remain unclear, with no confirmed dates or logistical details provided. Trump also declined to confirm whether he has exchanged letters with Kim, a detail that has fueled questions about the feasibility of the summit.

The announcement comes amid a series of actions suggesting a shift in US policy toward North Korea. Trump recently ordered the reduction of joint US-South Korean military exercises, which he described as “hostile” and “inappropriate.” This move, coupled with his public praise for Kim’s “very powerful” nuclear arsenal — estimated at 57 warheads — has raised concerns among regional allies. The US president attributed North Korea’s nuclear capabilities to previous administrations, stating, “If I were president, I wouldn’t have allowed it.”

Trump’s comments about North Korea’s nuclear stockpile mark an unusual level of specificity for a sitting US president. While the figure of 57 warheads aligns with publicly available estimates, his direct acknowledgment of the number has drawn attention. The president also reiterated his belief that his personal relationship with Kim could prevent further escalation, declaring, “I know Kim Jong Un very well, and he’s going to be fine as long as we have a smart president.”

The potential summit would be Trump’s first meeting with Kim since 2019, when the two leaders held a historic encounter at the inter-Korean Demilitarized Zone. Despite three high-profile summits during his first term, no significant progress was made on denuclearization, and North Korea subsequently accelerated its nuclear program. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of the North Korean leader, acknowledged Trump’s “good memories and feelings” toward her brother but stated she was “completely unaware” of any recent communications between the two leaders.

White House officials have hinted that the November APEC summit in China could serve as a potential venue for the meeting, though no official plans have been confirmed. The president’s focus on Pyongyang has also coincided with his ongoing conflict with Iran, which he has framed as a necessary effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “I can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, juxtaposing his stance on North Korea and Iran.

Regional tensions have intensified as a result of Trump’s shifting priorities. South Korea’s military exercises, which are designed to prepare for potential North Korean aggression, were shortened at the US’s request. While the Pentagon stated the adjustment posed no risk to training objectives, Pyongyang dismissed the change as “completely uninteresting.” The reduction has also prompted scrutiny of Trump’s broader approach to US alliances in East Asia, a policy that has repeatedly drawn criticism from allies.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the proposed summit, Trump’s remarks reflect his continued reliance on personal diplomacy as a foreign policy tool. His previous meetings with Kim, which included a 2019 trip into North Korean territory, were marked by symbolic gestures but yielded little tangible results. The current plan, if realized, would test whether Trump’s relationship with Kim can overcome the entrenched challenges of North Korea’s nuclear program, and whether the US is willing to prioritize such engagement amid broader geopolitical conflicts.