US President Donald Trump has said he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, although Kim’s younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, has cast doubt on claims of ongoing communications between the two leaders, potentially dampening hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump had claimed that he and Kim were engaged in secret negotiations after announcing plans to reduce US participation in military exercises with South Korea. Asked whether Kim had responded to his request for a conversation, Trump replied, “Yeah, he has.”
Reports indicate that Trump is pushing his aides to arrange an in-person meeting with Kim, potentially during a planned trip to Asia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China.
However, Kim Yo-jong, a senior North Korean official and the sister of the country’s leader, said she knew “absolutely nothing” about the alleged communications.
She acknowledged that Trump and Kim have maintained a good personal relationship but stressed that the United States remains an adversary of North Korea.
“The United States’ hostile policy toward the DPRK has not changed, and the United States and its followers are vigorously carrying out hostile military activities against the DPRK even at this very moment.”
When pressed about his alleged talks with Kim, Trump declined to clarify whether he was in direct contact with the North Korean leader but reaffirmed his intention to meet him.
“I know Kim Jong-un very well and he’s gonna be fine. As long as we have a smart president, he’s gonna be fine. If we have a dumb president, then he’s probably not going to be so fine.”
Trump also made the unusual disclosure that North Korea possesses 57 “very powerful nuclear weapons,” appearing to reveal an exact estimate of the country’s nuclear arsenal.
He further said Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
In her statement, Kim Yo-jong said her brother still has “personally good memories and feelings” toward Trump but expressed skepticism about reports of secret exchanges between them.
“Perhaps it is the only matter I do not know about in relation to our supreme leadership’s foreign policy.”
Kim Yo-jong also denied reports that North Korea planned to send tens of thousands of troops to fight alongside Russia.
