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The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has caused a stir with his recent statements about North Korea, claiming that "we will have relations" with the regime in Pyongyang.
During a press conference at the White House alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump said: “We will have relations with North Korea and with Kim Jong-un. I got along very well with him.”
“I think it’s a great advantage for everyone that I get along with him. I like, I mean, I get along with him, he gets along with me. And that’s a good thing, not a bad one”, highlighted Trump as quoted by the agency Efe.
These statements occur in a context of increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
Last year, Pyongyang ratified a treaty of "comprehensive strategic collaboration" with Moscow, which includes a mutual defense clause.
This agreement has raised concerns in the international community, especially due to the military support that North Korea has provided to Russia in the conflict in Ukraine, such as sending troops to the front.
For this reason, this could be one of the objectives of the relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-un: to reduce the risks of armed conflict and address the growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
During his first term (2017-2021), Donald Trump maintained an oscillating relationship with Jong-un, shifting from threats of war to unprecedented diplomatic meetings.
In 2017, the tension between the two countries reached its peak when Trump warned at the UN that he could "totally destroy" North Korea if it continued with its nuclear program.
Kim Jong-un responded with insults, while his regime conducted intercontinental missile tests capable of reaching U.S. territory.
However, in 2018, the approach shifted towards diplomacy with a first meeting in Singapore, where a vague agreement on denuclearization was signed.
A second meeting in Hanoi (Vietnam), in 2019, failed due to disagreements over lifting sanctions and dismantling the North Korean nuclear arsenal.
Even so, months later, Trump became the first U.S. president to set foot on North Korean soil during a visit to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), although no concrete progress was achieved.
At the end of 2019, negotiations were stalled and North Korea resumed its missile tests. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further diminished the chances of negotiation.
Despite the unprecedented communication between both leaders, Trump's strategy did not achieve the denuclearization of Pyongyang or significant changes in regional security, leaving the relationship in an uncertain state at the end of his term.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's Statements on North Korea
What has Donald Trump said about his relations with North Korea?
Donald Trump has declared his intention to establish relations with North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un, stating that during his first term he got along very well with him. Trump believes that getting along with Kim Jong-un is an advantage for everyone.
What could be Trump's objective in improving relations with North Korea?
One of the possible reasons why Trump may seek to improve relations with North Korea could be to reduce the risks of armed conflict and address the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. This cooperation has raised international concerns, particularly due to North Korea's support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
What has the relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-un been like in the past?
During his first term, Trump’s relationship with Kim Jong-un was fluctuating, ranging from war threats to unprecedented diplomatic meetings. In 2018, both leaders met in Singapore to sign a vague agreement on denuclearization. However, subsequent negotiations did not make significant progress, and North Korea resumed its missile tests by the end of 2019.
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