Trump Ahead of Iowa Caucus: "I Got Along Well with Kim Jong Un"

"A Close Relationship Helps National Security"

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a day before the Iowa caucuses, the first Republican presidential primary contest, claimed on the 14th (local time) that his close relationship with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un had helped national security.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

At a campaign event held at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, Trump said, "Kim Jong-un is very smart and very tough," adding, "He liked me, and I got along well with him. We were safe." He emphasized, "We were ready to go to war with them," and "They have a massive nuclear arsenal, probably more than anyone else. We did a great job."

These remarks came in the context of criticizing the Biden administration's diplomatic failures, such as the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump highlighted that his relationship with Kim during his tenure positively contributed to U.S. national security. During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump met Kim three times. Even after leaving office, he has claimed that through his summit diplomacy with Kim, he prevented a nuclear war with North Korea.

Meanwhile, Kim has recently signaled a hardline stance toward the U.S. and South Korea. Last month, on the 18th, North Korea conducted a test launch of the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, which is capable of reaching the entire U.S. mainland.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.