US President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, describing their relationship as positive despite acknowledging North Korea's nuclear arsenal.
"I get along with him, and you know what? The fact that I get along with him—that's a good thing, not a bad thing," Trump told reporters at the White House.
Trump disclosed that Kim Jong Un possesses "57 very powerful nuclear weapons." He added that such an outcome should not have occurred. "Should have never allowed it to happen. They should have never allowed it. If I were president, I would not have allowed it," Trump said.
The president did not specify a date for the planned meeting but declined to rule out a timeframe. According to reports, the meeting could take place in November during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China.
This would mark the third meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un across Trump's two terms as president. The two leaders previously met in Hanoi on February 27, 2019, during Trump's first term.
Trump has long characterized his relationship with the North Korean leader as unusually strong. Since his first term, he has claimed to maintain a privileged rapport with Kim Jong Un, whose country is considered a significant security threat by US intelligence agencies.
On Sunday, Trump announced that the United States would halt joint military exercises with South Korea. He stated that continuing the drills sent "a totally inappropriate and hostile signal" to Pyongyang.
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