Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How has the relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un evolved over the years?
"The president has an unconventional approach to foreign policy," Anthony Ruggiero says. "I think that's the most diplomatic way to put it, and his relationship with Kim Jong Un is something that he cultivated in the first term."
Trump, who said in 2018 that he and Kim "fell in love," has been pushing for a meeting with the authoritarian leader. The United States hasn't met with North Korea since Trump's first term.
Ruggiero, former National Security Council director for North Korea, joined Nick Schifrin for the latest episode of Compass Points about North Korea's relationship with the U.S.
Compass Points from PBS News analyzes prominent international affairs topics and America’s role in a shifting world, breaking down global conflicts, rising tensions, and their implications for U.S. interests.
Visit the PBS News website to watch this week's episode.
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How has the relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un evolved over the years?
"The president has an unconventional approach to foreign policy," Anthony Ruggiero says. "I think that's the most diplomatic way to put it, and his relationship with Kim Jong Un is something that he cultivated in the first term."
Trump, who said in 2018 that he and Kim "fell in love," has been pushing for a meeting with the authoritarian leader. The United States hasn't met with North Korea since Trump's first term.
Ruggiero, former National Security Council director for North Korea, joined Nick Schifrin for the latest episode of Compass Points about North Korea's relationship with the U.S.
Compass Points from PBS News analyzes prominent international affairs topics and America’s role in a shifting world, breaking down global conflicts, rising tensions, and their implications for U.S. interests.
Visit the PBS News website to watch this week's episode.
Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.
Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins: to.pbs.org/41q6E8i
Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters: pbs.org/newshour/subscribe
PBS News podcasts: pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS News at pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/2HfsCD6
Follow us:
TikTok: tiktok.com/@pbsnews
X: twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: instagram.com/newshour
Facebook: facebook.com/newshour
