Trump states that he has good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump stated that he still maintains good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with whom he held several summits during his first term. The White House leader once again referred to North Korea as a "nuclear state," according to Reuters.
During a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, journalists asked the president whether he plans to restore relations with North Korea.
"I would ... I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un, and we'll see what happens, but certainly he's a nuclear power," Trump said.
Referring to the nuclear arsenals of Russia and China, US President Donald Trump noted that their potential reduction would be a great achievement, as we have so much weaponry, and such great power.
"And number one, you don't need them to that extent. And then we'd have to get others, 'cause, as you know, in a smaller way - Kim Jong Un has a lot of nuclear weapons, by the way, a lot, and others do also. You have India, you have Pakistan, you have others that have them, and we get them involved," Trump said.
In response to a question about whether Trump's statements signal any changes in policy regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons, a White House spokesperson said: "President Trump will pursue the complete denuclearization of North Korea, just as he did in his first term."
US-North Korea relations
The relations between the countries have been tense for many years, primarily due to North Korea's nuclear program, international sanctions, and general political differences.
In particular, the US has repeatedly called on North Korea to stop its nuclear tests and dismantle its nuclear infrastructure. Pyongyang has labeled these calls as interference in its internal affairs.
On February 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, reaffirmed their strong commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Last week, Kim Jong Un's influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, criticized the Trump administration for increasing provocations and stated that this justifies North Korea's strengthening of its nuclear deterrence.
In the early days following his inauguration, Trump declared his intention to resume negotiations with Kim Jong Un. He also reiterated that North Korea is a nuclear state.
