Kathmandu— Former US President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year, following his criticism of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. The announcement comes after Trump ordered a scaling back of those drills, which he characterized as hostile towards Pyongyang, and days after NBC News reported he was open to a meeting at an unspecified time. During his first term, Trump engaged in unprecedented diplomatic efforts with Kim, including three meetings aimed at denuclearization, though these ultimately failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Resumption of Dialogue

Trump told reporters that he knows Kim Jong-un “very well” and the two leaders “get along,” framing this personal relationship as a positive factor in potential negotiations. He indicated a willingness to re-engage with North Korea, despite previous talks collapsing over disagreements regarding its nuclear program. The former president stated North Korea possesses “57 very powerful nuclear weapons.”

Military Drill Adjustments

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills between the US and South Korea were shortened at Washington’s request, beginning on Monday and now scheduled to conclude August 21 instead of August 27. Some live-training events have been canceled or converted into simulations following Trump's objections. He expressed dissatisfaction with the exercises in a Truth Social post, calling them costly and inappropriate given ongoing diplomatic possibilities. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun informed parliament on Wednesday that Seoul was not notified in advance of the decision to scale back the drills.

North Korea’s Response

Kim Yo-jong, a high-ranking official in the Workers’ Party of Korea, described the reduction in drill duration as insufficient, stating it did not alter their “hostile and confrontational nature.” Despite this criticism, she acknowledged an “excellent” personal relationship between her brother and Trump. However, she also denied any current communication between the two leaders, according to AP reports. North Korea had previously vowed to respond to the drills with a “new level of deterrent.”

Strain in US-South Korea Relations

Trump also voiced displeasure regarding South Korea’s reluctance to support the United States in its military campaign concerning the Hormuz Strait, stating he “was not happy when South Korea said – no, they are not interested in helping us.” This comment highlights a potential strain in the alliance between Washington and Seoul, even as both countries attempt to navigate complex relations with North Korea.

The timing and specifics of a potential meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un remain unclear, but the announcement signals a renewed possibility for dialogue despite ongoing tensions and disagreements.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.