Trump says Kim Jong Un responded to outreach, eyes fall summit

President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his diplomatic outreach, describing the exchange as "very positive," as the Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 2.48% reported that Trump is pressing aides to arrange an in-person meeting with Kim as early as this fall.

When a reporter asked Trump at the White House why Kim had not responded to his efforts to reengage, Trump snapped back: "How do you know he hasn't responded?" Pressed further, he said, "Yeah, he has." He declined to specify when or how the contact occurred, or whether he had spoken directly with the North Korean leader.aljazeera+1

A Fall Summit Takes Shape

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump has privately discussed setting up a meeting with Kim during his next trip to Asia, which could coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November. The report cited U.S. officials familiar with the discussions. North Korea has not publicly confirmed any contact with Washington.wsj

The diplomatic signal came a day after Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, calling the annual drills "costly" and saying they send "a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday and are scheduled to run through Aug. 27.english.hani+2

Iran Frustrations and Alliance Pressure

Analysts say Trump's pivot toward Pyongyang is tied to frustration over the U.S. military campaign in Iran. Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Trump appeared motivated in part by a desire to "shift headlines away from his struggles with the Iran war."aljazeera

Trump also linked the drill reduction to South Korea's refusal to support U.S. operations in Iran: "We have 39,000 soldiers over there, guarding you from Kim Jong Un, your next-door neighbor, and you're not going to help us on a very easy military operation in Iran." The Hankyoreh noted the actual number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea is around 28,500.english.hani+1

Prospects for Engagement

Despite Trump's optimism, analysts cautioned that a summit is not imminent. Cha said North Korea would likely "bide their time and wait a little bit." Since Trump and Kim last met in 2019, Pyongyang has expanded its nuclear arsenal and deepened military ties with Russia, leaving Kim in a far stronger negotiating position.aljazeera

Andrew Yeo of the Brookings Institution offered a different view: "He has nothing to lose by meeting Trump because he has Russia and China in his pocket."news.meaww

On Tuesday, Trump posted a doctored image on Truth Social showing Kim holding a phone with the caption, "Hey Donald, We cool … Right?" — a gesture that, whatever its diplomatic weight, signaled the president's intent to keep the channel open.koreatimes