Donald Trump revealed that Kim Jong Un agreed to a proposal to open negotiations after Trump ordered a significant reduction in joint US-South Korea military exercises, noting that his relationship with the North Korean leader is "very good."
On 18 August 2026 GMT+7, US President Donald Trump disclosed that Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, had accepted his proposal to initiate talks with North Korea. This followed Trump’s recent order to substantially reduce joint military exercises between the US and South Korea, amid hopes that this might pave the way for renewed dialogue with Pyongyang.
However, Trump did not disclose details about when or how the two leaders communicated, nor the topics discussed, stating only that the conversation was "very positive."
Earlier, on Sunday, 16 August 2026 GMT+7, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had instructed US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. He cited his "very good" relationship with Kim Jong Un and expressed dissatisfaction with the US continuing these drills, arguing that they are costly and send an entirely inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea, which he said has never threatened him and has shown him respect throughout his presidency.
Trump also spoke about his personal relationship with Kim, saying they have met several times and understand each other well. He emphasized that the North Korean leader treats him with great respect.
During his first term as president, Trump met Kim Jong Un face-to-face three times: at the Singapore summit in June 2018, the Hanoi summit in Vietnam in February 2019, and at the Panmunjom village on the North-South Korea border in June 2019.