U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he will meet North Korea Chairperson Kim Jong-un within the year. He publicly signaled a swift resumption of U.S.-North Korea talks. However, when asked whether the goal of resuming dialogue with the chairperson is "North Korea's denuclearization," he said, "I have a good relationship with Kim Jong-un," avoiding a specific answer.
On the 19th (local time) at the White House, when asked, "Is denuclearization still the goal in seeking to reengage with the chairperson? Why do you think it will succeed this time?" President Trump said, "I don't want to talk about that," and made the remarks.
Trump added, "He (the chairperson) didn't like Biden, didn't like Obama, didn't like anyone, but he likes me," and said, "I really got along with him, and we had great meetings." He continued, "I think not only the United States but also other countries, whether Japan or Korea, are much safer when I am president than when someone else is president."
Trump's response is interpreted as reflecting an awareness that if the goal is set as North Korea's denuclearization at a time when the North is expected to demand recognition as a nuclear-armed state as a precondition for a U.S.-North Korea summit, the momentum to resume talks could disappear. Earlier, during his first term, Trump met the chairperson three times for denuclearization talks but achieved little progress.
When asked whether he expects to meet the chairperson within the year, Trump answered, "I think so." He did not mention a specific time or occasion. Even so, the fact that he answered definitively that they would meet within the year suggests he will put considerable emphasis on North Korea diplomacy for the time being as he manages foreign policy.
Asked whether he and the chairperson are exchanging personal letters, Trump said, "I can't say," appearing to leave the door open. In the process, Trump said, "He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons." It was the first time a U.S. president specified the number of North Korean nuclear weapons. Experts have long estimated that North Korea possesses more than 60 nuclear warheads.
Trump appears likely to focus on securing a diplomatic achievement by restarting U.S.-North Korea talks. After waging a war under the banner of denuclearizing Iran but with a resolution still distant, he aims, ahead of the November midterms, to highlight his role as a so-called "peacemaker" by easing tensions between a nuclear-armed North Korea and the United States.
Trump also explained the background to his order to scale back the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises. He said, "I don't like the fact that we conduct large-scale military drills aimed at North Korea," adding, "At least during my term, it's very insulting to 'someone who has behaved very well.'" The "someone" Trump referred to appears to be the chairperson.
Trump emphasized, "I have a friendly relationship with him (Kim Jong-un), and I don't think anything will happen for at least the next two and a half years," adding, "It won't happen while I'm here."
Trump also repeated the claim that Korea rejected a U.S. request for support related to the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war, saying he "didn't feel good about it." He said, "Korea, in fact, brings in 60% of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz."
He then again mentioned his call with President Lee Jae-myung, saying, "He made us a lot of money." This appears, in context, to refer to President Lee. It seems to allude to Korea's pledge of large-scale investment in the United States through tariff negotiations with Washington.