Trump plans to contact North Korea, touting ‘good relationship’
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meeting at the demilitarised zone in Panmunjom, South Korea, on June 30, 2019.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said he plans to reach out to North Korea “at some point” and reiterated that he has a “very good relationship” with leader Kim Jong Un.
“There is communication – I think it’s very important,” Mr Trump told reporters on March 31, without giving a timeline. “There is a big nuclear nation, and he’s a very smart guy.”
During his first term, Mr Trump announced the suspension or scaling down of some major US-South Korea military drills after starting face-to-face talks with Mr Kim.
While those discussions ultimately collapsed, the US President has indicated a willingness to reach out for renewed talks during his second term.
The move is likely to raise concerns in South Korea, which fears this could undermine its security interests.
Seoul has previously downplayed Mr Trump’s remarks calling Pyongyang a nuclear power, saying it does not mean he accepts North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.
“I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un – you people hate to hear that, but it’s very important,” Mr Trump said. When asked about reaching out to North Korea, he said that he would “probably do something at some point”. Bloomberg
