US President Donald Trump has voiced his intention to re-establish ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, citing their past relationship and the significance of diplomatic engagement.
Speaking at a press briefing, Trump remarked, “We will have relations with North Korea and with Kim Jong-un.”
He emphasised his previous interactions with Kim, stating, “I got along with him very well, as you know. I think I stopped the war.”
Trump suggested his 2016 election victory averted a major conflict.
“I think if I wouldn't have won that particular election, you would have ended up in a very bad situation. But I did, and we had a good relationship,” he said.
Calling engagement with Kim crucial for global stability, Trump added, “I think it's a very big asset for everybody that I do get along with him. I mean, I get along with him, he gets along with me, and that's a good thing, not a bad thing.”
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Trump also noted Japan's approval of diplomatic efforts with North Korea, stating, “Their relationship is not very good with him [Kim Jong-un], and if I can have a relationship not only with him but with other difficult actors worldwide, I think it's a tremendous asset for the world, not just the United States.”
Trump’s diplomatic approach to North Korea during his first term marked a significant shift in US foreign policy.
In 2018, he and Kim held a landmark summit in Singapore, agreeing broadly on denuclearisation, although the specifics were vague.
The 2019 Hanoi summit ended without a deal due to disagreements over sanctions relief and North Korea’s nuclear programme.
Later that year, Trump made history as the first US president to set foot in North Korea during a brief meeting with Kim at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).
However, negotiations stalled, and Pyongyang continued missile testing despite the high-profile engagements.
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