Trump Says Kim Responded After South Korea Drill Cuts

President Donald Trump said on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had replied to his outreach, after Trump ordered the United States to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was asked why Kim had not responded to his overtures. “He has,” Trump said, adding no further details.

Trump Links Response To US Exercise Plan

Trump’s comments came after he directed changes to US military drills involving South Korea, a move that was immediately tied to his push for engagement with Pyongyang.

The president said Kim had always treated him with respect and that the two had met on several occasions, describing what he said were two main times in which they spoke and spent time together. Trump added: “I understand him. He understands me.”

During Trump’s first term, relations with North Korea were a major focus, including a series of letters exchanged between him and Kim. In his second term, the issue has received less emphasis.

Summits In 2018 And 2019

Trump and Kim held summits in 2018 and 2019. Negotiations later stalled and ultimately broke down, with the failure linked to North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme based in Pyongyang.

North Korea remains subject to heavy international sanctions relating to its nuclear weapons and its ballistic missile capabilities.

The latest remarks by Trump mark another attempt to link any shift in engagement to changes in the US military posture in the region, although Trump did not describe what form Kim’s response took.

Pentagon Ordered “Substantially Reduce” Drills

On Sunday, Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, which he described as a long-term Asian ally.

In giving the order, Trump said the decision reflected the cost of the drills. He also cited Seoul’s refusal to take part in actions against Iran.

The United States has repeatedly framed its military activities with South Korea as part of deterrence, while North Korea has often criticised joint drills and linked them to broader security concerns.

Trump’s comments on Monday did not provide specific information about when or how Kim responded, or whether the outreach was connected to any channel beyond his earlier public statements.

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18 August 2026