Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has always treated him with "great respect" a day after he ordered the Pentagon to scale back annual joint military exercises with South Korea.
Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the decision, a likely bid to reengage with Kim, who views U.S.-South Korean military exercises as invasion rehearsals.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the president was pressed on whether the U.S. president has had a conversation with the North Korean leader.
Trump said "yeah he has" responded to Trump's request to have a conversation, referring to Kim Jong Un.
Trump offered no other details, but noted later during the Oval Office appearance that "I get along with him very well."
The president further explained his decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, likening his relationship with Seoul to his often-frayed ties with the transatlantic alliance.
Trump noted that the U.S. keeps tens of thousands of troops in South Korea for its protection, and was rebuffed when it asked Seoul for assistance regarding the war in Iran earlier this year.
As he discussed his decision on South Korea, Trump said "look at NATO" and later added, "all I want is fairness."
"We can't go around and protect all of these countries, especially when they're not there to help us," Trump said.
President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has always treated him with "great respect" a day after he ordered the Pentagon to scale back annual joint military exercises with South Korea.
Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the decision, a likely bid to reengage with Kim, who views U.S.-South Korean military exercises as invasion rehearsals.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the president was pressed on whether the U.S. president has had a conversation with the North Korean leader.
Trump said "yeah he has" responded to Trump's request to have a conversation, referring to Kim Jong Un.
Trump offered no other details, but noted later during the Oval Office appearance that "I get along with him very well."
The president further explained his decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, likening his relationship with Seoul to his often-frayed ties with the transatlantic alliance.
Trump noted that the U.S. keeps tens of thousands of troops in South Korea for its protection, and was rebuffed when it asked Seoul for assistance regarding the war in Iran earlier this year.
As he discussed his decision on South Korea, Trump said "look at NATO" and later added, "all I want is fairness."
"We can't go around and protect all of these countries, especially when they're not there to help us," Trump said.
