Trump "Will Contact Kim Jong-un Again"... Willingness for North Korea-US Summit Diplomacy

Expresses Willingness to Resume Dialogue in Fox News Interview on the 23rd
No Specific Mention of Timing or Details of Contact
Consistent References After Inauguration... Mentions Past Relationship as Well

On the 23rd (local time), President Trump responded "I will" when asked in a Fox News interview if he would "reach out" to Kim Jong-un again. The photo shows President Trump during the interview with Fox News. Photo by Fox News

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his intention to once again attempt North Korea-U.S. summit diplomacy with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un just three days after his inauguration.

In an interview aired on Fox News on the 23rd (local time), when asked if he would "reach out" to Kim Jong-un again, President Trump replied, "I will." However, he did not specify the timing or details of the contact.

Although President Trump had previously portrayed his relationship with Chairman Kim Jong-un positively and hinted at a willingness to resume talks after his inauguration, this interview marks the first time he clearly stated his intention to attempt North Korea-U.S. summit diplomacy again.

On the day of his inauguration, during a Q&A session with reporters in the White House Oval Office, President Trump referred to Chairman Kim Jong-un as a "nuclear power" and said, "I think he will be glad that I am back." Since U.S. officials have traditionally avoided using the term "nuclear power," President Trump's candid remark was seen as breaking the "Washington grammar."

That same night, at a military ball held for military personnel, he mentioned Kim Jong-un again. During a video call with U.S. troops stationed at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, he joked, "How is Kim Jong-un doing?"

North Korea claims it pursues nuclear weapons to respond to threats from the United States, South Korea, and allied countries. However, Washington and other nations warn that this program causes instability. The United Nations (UN) has passed multiple resolutions prohibiting North Korea's nuclear weapons program and related efforts.

Meanwhile, in political circles, the prevailing view was that President Trump would find it difficult to attempt resuming talks with North Korea, at least in the early part of his term. President Trump had pledged to prioritize ending the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East upon taking office, and it was expected that diplomatic efforts would focus on these issues for the time being. This implies that North Korea is not considered an urgent diplomatic matter.