DONALD Trump could be laying the groundwork for another historic summit with Kim Jong-un after praising his “very good relationship” with the tyrant.
The US president also declared that he will be scaling back joint war drills with South Korea and blasted his ally for its refusal to help denuclearise Iran.
Donald Trump has praised his ‘very good relationship’ with Kim Jong-un Credit: AP
The US president also announced he would be scaling back US involvement in South Korean military drills Credit: AFP via Getty Images
Trump also cited the high cost of the drills and said they sent a “hostile” message to Kim, who he believes has been “unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency.
As a result, he announced that he has asked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” US involvement in the exercises.
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Trump added: “I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’”
In response, South Korea’s presidential office has expressed hope that the personal chemistry between Trump and Kim could tee up diplomatic talks.
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North Korea has responded aggressively to Seoul’s war drills Credit: via REUTERS
Around 28,500 US soldiers are stationed in South Korea Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
Seoul said it was reviewing Trump’s post and hopes that “the friendly relationship will lead to meaningful dialogue aimed at advancing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula”.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills started on Monday as scheduled.
They are set to run until August 27, with around 18,000 South Korean personnel taking part.
The US and South Korea are continuing to coordinate on their defensive and military tactics.
Trump and Kim held three summits during the president’s first term Credit: AFP via Getty Images
None of these led to changes in Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme Credit: via REUTERS
In response to Trump’s claim that it had refused to help denuclearise Iran, Seoul said it was discussing potential military contributions.
North Korea meanwhile responded aggressively ahead of the joint military drills, firing a short-range ballistic missile over the Sea of Japan earlier this month.
Pyongyang has routinely denounced the exercises as preparations for an invasion.
Trump has long sought to end or curtail the drills, clashing with Seoul over sharing the costs of stationing 28,500 US troops in South Korea.
However one US official described South Korea as a “model ally”, who has committed to increasing defence spending in line with US demands.
Relations between Trump and Kim have thawed and grown over the course of his two terms.
The president once mocked the North Korean dictator as “little rocket man” and threatened Pyongyang with “fire and fury” amid nuclear tensions in 2017.
But on Saturday, Trump shared a picture of the two leaders, writing: “despite the unfriendly look on this particular picture, there are many where we’re smiling, Kim Jong Un and I get along GREAT!”
Trump has previously joked that the pair “fell in love” after exchanging letters.
They took part in three summits during his first term, but none of these led to changes in North Korea‘s nuclear weapons or ballistic missile development.
There has been concern among the US’ European allies over warming relations between Russia and North Korea across Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Kim has funnelled troops into the Russian tyrant’s frontline meatgrinder throughout the four-and-a-half year war, and recently pledged 120 North Korean ballistic missiles and six launchers to Putin.
With Ukraine in short supply of high-end air defences, Russia is now trying to exploit this by deploying more ballistic missiles – which are notoriously hard to shoot down.
