Event
US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he intends to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026, aiming to revive their relationship from his first term. Trump described the North Korean leader as having 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons and emphasised the importance of maintaining a good relationship. This announcement coincides with a decision to scale back joint US-South Korean military drills, which Trump characterised as "insulting" to Kim. The move has raised concerns among Asian allies regarding US security commitments in the region.
3 published stories · security · source reliability 67%
The US President’s announcement of a potential summit with North Korea coincides with a directive to reduce joint exercises with South Korea, prompting scrutiny of Washington’s security commitments in East Asia.
The US President asserts that dialogue with North Korea’s leader makes South Korea safer, a claim made against the backdrop of reduced joint military exercises.
Following orders to scale back Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, Donald Trump asserts that Kim Jong Un’s ‘very positive’ response to communications enhances regional security.
Background
US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026, aiming to revive the diplomatic relationship established during his first term. During a White House tour, Trump stated that maintaining a good relationship with Pyongyang is essential for regional security, claiming that dialogue with Kim makes South Korea safer. This announcement follows a directive to scale back joint US-South Korean military exercises, specifically the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which Trump characterised as "insulting" to the North Korean leader. Trump also provided a specific estimate that North Korea possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons, a figure consistent with previous US government and think tank assessments ranging between 50 and 60 weapons. The move has raised concerns among Asian allies regarding the implications for US security commitments in the region.
US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026, aiming to revive the diplomatic relationship established during his first term. During a White House tour, Trump stated that maintaining a good relationship with Pyongyang
Fact cards
Key entities: Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, North Korea, United States, South Korea.
When does Trump plan to meet Kim Jong Un? Trump stated he intends to meet Kim Jong Un later in 2026, with reports suggesting the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November as a possible venue. How many nuclear weapons does Trump claim North Korea has? Trump stated that North Korea posse
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260820-trump-says-he-will-meet-north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-later-this-year | published 2026-08-20T01:15:53.000Z | primary source | Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/8/19/i-get-alon
2019: Last meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un during Trump's first term. 2024: North Korea deployed troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine and signed a mutual defence treaty with Moscow. 2026-08-19: Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint US-South Ko
Timeline
Last meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un during Trump's first term.
North Korea deployed troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine and signed a mutual defence treaty with Moscow.
Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint US-South Korean military drills, describing them as "insulting" to Kim Jong Un.
Trump announced plans to meet Kim Jong Un later in 2026 and stated North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons.
Reported potential venue for the meeting: APEC summit in Shenzhen, China.
FAQ
Trump stated he intends to meet Kim Jong Un later in 2026, with reports suggesting the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November as a possible venue.
Trump stated that North Korea possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons.
Trump ordered the reduction of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, characterising the full-scale drills as "insulting" to Kim Jong Un.
Kim Yo Jong stated she was "completely unaware" of reported communications, though she affirmed the relationship remains "excellent."
Trump stated that he "gets along with him very well" and described Kim’s response to recent communications as "very positive."
Trump linked the reduction of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises to South Korea’s refusal to join the US-Israel war on Iran.
Trump asserts that his dialogue with Kim Jong Un makes South Korea safer.
Trump stated that Kim responded 'very positively' to recent communications.
Trump asserted that engaging in dialogue with Kim Jong Un enhances the safety of South Korea.
Trump cited his relationship with Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the US in its war on Iran.
The exercise is called Ulchi Freedom Shield.
The South Korean presidential office responded to the reduction in drill scope on the same day.