Trump says he will meet North Korea's Kim later this year

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.

Trump on Wednesday defended his diplomatic re-engagement during a White House press availability, offering a rare estimate that Pyongyang currently possesses 57 nuclear weapons while describing joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises as insulting to Kim.

Why is Trump planning to meet Kim Jong Un later this year?

President Donald Trump confirmed his intention to hold a face-to-face summit with Kim Jong Un by the end of 2026 to revive personal diplomatic ties established during his first presidential term. Addressing reporters at the White House, Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining direct communication with Pyongyang while highlighting that North Korea holds 57 very powerful nuclear warheads.

Trump defended his push for dialogue with Kim even as his administration remains engaged in a military conflict with Iran to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Trump asserted that North Korea already possesses atomic weapons but expressed confidence that diplomatic relations would maintain regional stability.

Reporting by Korea JoongAng Daily indicates that White House aides are exploring a potential summit during Trump's planned trip to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November.

Trump also criticized regular military exercises conducted alongside South Korea, calling them very insulting toward Kim. Trump claimed that Kim had been very well behaved and argued that scaling back joint maneuvers would reduce unnecessary regional friction.

How did North Korea and US allies react to Trump's announcement?

In Pyongyang, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, issued an official statement asserting she was completely unaware of recent direct communications between Washington and Pyongyang. Kim Yo Jong acknowledged her brother retains good memories and an excellent personal relationship with Trump.

She dismissed Washington and Seoul's decision to shorten the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises by nearly a week, calling the schedule adjustment unworthy of comment. North Korean state media reiterated that Pyongyang views all joint military training as hostile dress rehearsals for war regardless of their duration.

Trump's unilateral policy shift has raised concerns among East Asian allies, including South Korea and Japan, regarding long-standing security commitments. Analysts suggest that Trump is eager to secure a high-profile foreign policy breakthrough ahead of November's midterm elections as regional conflicts in the Middle East continue.