U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he intends to “resolve the conflict with North Korea.”
Speaking at an Oval Office event where he underscored his global peace efforts, Trump was asked whether he had recently written to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as some reports suggested earlier this month.
He did not confirm or deny having sent a letter but remarked, “I’ve always had a good relationship with Kim Jong Un and get along with him very well. So let’s see how things unfold.
“Some people are suggesting there’s a potential conflict – I believe we’ll sort it out,” he added. “If anything does happen, I don’t think it would involve us.”
Earlier this month, Seoul-based NK News – which tracks developments in North Korea – reported that Pyongyang’s delegation at the United Nations in New York had repeatedly refused to accept a letter reportedly sent by Trump to Kim.
Trump and Kim met at three summits during Trump’s first term between 2017 and 2021, exchanging what Trump described as “beautiful” letters. However, the historic diplomatic engagement eventually collapsed due to U.S. demands that North Korea abandon its nuclear arsenal.
In his second term, Trump has acknowledged North Korea as a “nuclear power.” On 11 June, the White House said Trump would be open to renewed communication with Kim, although it did not confirm whether any letter had actually been sent.
North Korea has shown little interest in resuming talks since diplomatic efforts stalled in 2019.
Instead, the regime has ramped up its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes and strengthened ties with Russia by directly supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine, providing both soldiers and weaponry.