During a press conference outside the White House on 29/9, US President Donald Trump was questioned by reporters about Washington's differing stances on the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. Specifically, reporters asked why he "allowed North Korea to possess nuclear weapons" while opposing Iran's ambitions.
"An interesting question," President Trump responded. "That's because North Korea has a different leader: Kim Jong-un. He is my friend. He likes Donald Trump. I like him too."
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US President Donald Trump speaks outside the White House on 29/9. Photo: AP |
Trump stated that previous US presidents had opportunities to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons but failed to act. He noted that North Korea had developed "significant nuclear capabilities", albeit still modest compared to the US.
"But Kim Jong-un is my friend," President Trump added. "He doesn't like many people. I am probably the only person in the world he likes. As long as I am in office, he will be fine, because he respects and has affection for me."
President Trump had repeatedly emphasized his personal relationship with the North Korean leader, aiming to resume direct negotiations between the two nations. In August, he expressed hope of meeting Kim again this year, but Pyongyang had not yet responded.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a military exercise last year. Photo: KCNA |
During his first term, Trump met Kim to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but these discussions did not yield any agreements.
Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un's sister, has repeatedly declared that North Korea's nuclear status is firmly established, both physically and legally, and is irreversible. Pyongyang has recently continued weapon testing, launching multiple ballistic missiles into the waters east of the peninsula, despite Washington's calls for dialogue.
North Korea withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1993. Since then, it has conducted 6 nuclear tests and faced numerous United Nations sanction resolutions. In 2023, Pyongyang enshrined its nuclear state status in its constitution.
Thanh Danh (According to Newsweek, KBS, Mainichi)
