Oct. 4 (Asia Today) — President Donald Trump again emphasized his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying it was important to maintain good relations with a leader who possesses nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a midterm election campaign event in Ohio on Saturday, Trump discussed the importance of maintaining relationships with leaders of nuclear-armed countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, before turning to Kim.
“I get along very well with Kim Jong Un,” Trump said.
He then said it was good to get along with someone who has “112 nuclear missiles.”
Trump did not explain the basis for the number.
Although the context suggested he was referring to North Korea’s nuclear weapons or nuclear-capable missiles, the statement does not establish that Pyongyang actually possesses 112 such weapons.
The figure also differs from one Trump cited in August, when he said North Korea possessed “57 very powerful nuclear weapons.” He did not provide evidence for that figure either.
Trump has made several friendly remarks about Kim in recent days.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sept. 29, Trump called Kim his friend and said, “He likes Trump and I like him.”
Trump also described North Korea’s nuclear capability as “very substantial.”
The repeated references to his personal relationship with Kim have fueled speculation that Trump may be signaling interest in restarting stalled U.S.-North Korea diplomacy.
Trump has said he would be willing to meet Kim this year. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for next month in Shenzhen, China, has also prompted speculation about possible U.S.-North Korean contact.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20261004010000882
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Oct. 4 (Asia Today) — President Donald Trump again emphasized his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying it was important to maintain good relations with a leader who possesses nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a midterm election campaign event in Ohio on Saturday, Trump discussed the importance of maintaining relationships with leaders of nuclear-armed countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, before turning to Kim.
“I get along very well with Kim Jong Un,” Trump said.
He then said it was good to get along with someone who has “112 nuclear missiles.”
Trump did not explain the basis for the number.
Although the context suggested he was referring to North Korea’s nuclear weapons or nuclear-capable missiles, the statement does not establish that Pyongyang actually possesses 112 such weapons.
The figure also differs from one Trump cited in August, when he said North Korea possessed “57 very powerful nuclear weapons.” He did not provide evidence for that figure either.
Trump has made several friendly remarks about Kim in recent days.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sept. 29, Trump called Kim his friend and said, “He likes Trump and I like him.”
Trump also described North Korea’s nuclear capability as “very substantial.”
The repeated references to his personal relationship with Kim have fueled speculation that Trump may be signaling interest in restarting stalled U.S.-North Korea diplomacy.
Trump has said he would be willing to meet Kim this year. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for next month in Shenzhen, China, has also prompted speculation about possible U.S.-North Korean contact.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20261004010000882