RismadarVoice Reporters
August 17, 2026
US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may be in contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, describing the reported communication as positive but offering few details.
Trump made the comments on Monday, a day after ordering the United States to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea.
Asked by reporters in the Oval Office why Kim had not responded to his attempts to initiate a conversation, Trump questioned the premise, asking how the reporters knew the North Korean leader had not replied.
When pressed on whether Kim had in fact responded, Trump said he had.
Asked about the current state of the reported communication, the US president described it as “very positive” without providing further information about the nature or timing of the exchanges.
Trump also praised his relationship with Kim, whom he met three times during his first presidential term but has not met since returning to the White House.
The US president said his relationship with the North Korean leader had helped reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
“I understand him. He understands me,” Trump said, arguing that his engagement with Kim was making the situation safer.
Trump’s remarks came as South Korea and the United States began their annual joint military exercises, despite his announcement that the drills would be reduced.
The exercises are intended to strengthen the allies’ combined defence capabilities and deter potential threats from North Korea.
Trump also renewed his criticism of South Korea over its decision not to participate in US military operations against Iran.
The president questioned why the United States should continue protecting countries that, in his view, were unwilling to assist Washington when called upon.
“We can’t go around and protect all of these countries, especially when they’re not there to help us,” Trump said.
His comments add to growing uncertainty over the future of the US-South Korea security relationship, even as Washington and Seoul continue military cooperation and South Korea maintains its support for diplomatic engagement with North Korea.
