Trump says he will meet Kim Jong Un later this year

Aug 18, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on August 19, 2026, that he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, with aides reportedly eyeing the November APEC summit in Shenzhen, China. Trump also claimed North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons. The announcement follows Trump's unilateral order to halve joint military drills with South Korea, citing Seoul's refusal to assist in the war on Iran. However, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, denied any awareness of recent communications and dismissed the reduced drills as aggressive.

Trump-Kim meeting plans

▪U.S. President Donald Trump announced on August 19, 2026, that he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on August 17, 2026, that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his recent proposal for talks with a "very positive" exchange.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing aides to arrange an in-person meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as soon as autumn 2026, potentially during the November APEC summit in Shenzhen, China.

US-South Korea military drills reduction

▪South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responded to the reduced military drills by calling for complete military independence from the U.S. and pushing for a faster acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump justified reducing joint military drills with South Korea by citing his positive relationship with Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to assist in the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back the annual 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises with South Korea, halving their duration so they end on August 21, 2026.

North Korea nuclear weapons assessment

▪International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi stated in April 2026 that North Korea's nuclear program was estimated at "a few dozen warheads" and showed a serious increase in production capabilities.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on August 19, 2026, that North Korea possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons.

Kim Yo Jong denies communications

▪Kim Yo Jong dismissed the reduction of U.S.-South Korea military exercises, calling them "provocative and aggressive" and stating they hold no interest for North Korea.
▪Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a statement on August 19, 2026, denying any awareness of recent communications between her brother and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump diplomatic leverage tactics

▪Yong-Chool Ha of the University of Washington suggested U.S. President Donald Trump is using outreach to North Korea as "tit-for-tat" leverage to pressure South Korea over slow investment and lack of cooperation in Iran.
▪Analysts suggest U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking a summit with Kim Jong Un to secure a foreign policy victory amid the unresolved war on Iran and unfulfilled pledges regarding the Ukraine war.