WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his efforts to revive dialogue, raising prospects of renewed diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang after years without direct talks.
Asked at the White House on Monday why Kim had not responded to his outreach, Trump replied: “He has,” but offered no details about the nature or timing of the response.
The White House and North Korea’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately provide further clarification.
Trump’s comments came a day after he ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and describing North Korea as “unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency.
Pyongyang has long condemned US-South Korean military exercises as preparations for war.
Prospects of renewed talks
Trump and Kim held high-profile summits in Singapore in 2018 and Vietnam in 2019 during Trump’s first term. Negotiations eventually stalled over disagreements surrounding North Korea’s nuclear programme and international sanctions.
Trump on Monday highlighted his personal relationship with the North Korean leader, saying Kim had always treated him with respect.
“I understand him. He understands me,” Trump said.
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Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, acknowledged last year that the personal relationship between the two leaders was “not bad”, while warning Washington against using it to pursue North Korea’s denuclearisation.
The diplomatic landscape has changed considerably since Trump and Kim last met. North Korea has strengthened its relationship with Russia while maintaining close ties with China.
Analysts nevertheless believe another Trump-Kim meeting remains possible.
Andrew Yeo of the Brookings Institution said Kim could benefit from another meeting with a US president because of the international status and recognition it could provide.
Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Pyongyang may wait before making further moves, although Trump appeared interested in meeting Kim again.
Trump previously suspended major US-South Korean military exercises in 2018 as part of efforts to encourage negotiations with Pyongyang.
