U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, marking a potential resumption of direct diplomacy between the two leaders. The announcement follows reports that Trump directed aides to explore organizing a meeting, possibly around the November APEC summit in Shenzhen, China. The White House has not formally confirmed plans for a meeting, and North Korea has not publicly acknowledged such discussions.
Trump cites personal rapport with Kim as diplomatic asset
During an impromptu White House walkthrough, Trump told reporters, “Yeah, I will be” when asked if he planned to meet Kim later in 2026. He emphasized his personal relationship with Kim, stating, “I get along with him very well… the fact that I get along with him, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing.” Trump also referenced North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, asserting that Kim possesses 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons, according to his assessment. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates North Korea may have assembled around 60 warheads and possesses enough fissile material for at least 30 more.
North Korea denies talks while acknowledging leader’s relationship with Trump
North Korea’s state media, via Kim Yo Jong—sister of Kim Jong Un—stated that the relationship between the two leaders remains “excellent.” However, she added that U.S. policies toward North Korea had not changed, calling them “hostile.” Kim Yo Jong’s statement did not directly address the reported meeting plans but reiterated that Pyongyang views Washington’s stance as unchanged.
Trump scales back military drills with South Korea
The announcement comes as Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce planned joint military exercises with South Korea, describing the drills as “costly” and sending a “totally inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea. Trump claimed North Korea had been “unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency, though his administration previously imposed sanctions and maintained a hardline stance on Pyongyang’s nuclear program.
Background: Past summits yield limited progress
Trump and Kim met three times during Trump’s first term, including a historic 2018 summit in Singapore and a 2019 meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Those talks produced no concrete steps toward denuclearization, and North Korea has since expanded its nuclear arsenal. Analysts note that Kim has repeatedly stated North Korea will not engage in denuclearization talks, instead seeking recognition as a nuclear power.
No confirmed date or location for potential meeting
The White House has not provided details on when or where a potential meeting might occur. Trump declined to confirm whether he and Kim had exchanged recent letters, telling reporters, “Can’t tell you that.” The president’s comments follow a Wall Street Journal report that his aides were working to arrange a meeting, possibly around the APEC summit in November.