jordan pulse -

​US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, in what would be their first meeting since the start of his second term, according to reporting by The Straits Times.
​In response to a reporter's question asking if he planned to meet Kim later in 2026, Trump replied, "Yeah, I will be," during a tour of a new helipad being built at the White House, as noted by The Times of Israel. Earlier, Trump stated that Kim Jong Un had responded to his recent outreach, a day after the US president scaled back joint military exercises with South Korea, as highlighted by CBS News, and praised his relationship with the North Korean leader.
​Trump remarked that he is making the situation "much safer" through his relationship with Kim, whom he met three times during his first presidential term, though no meeting between them has taken place during his non-consecutive second term.
​While praising the leader of nuclear-armed North Korea, Trump directed criticism at ally Seoul for not assisting Washington in the war against Iran, which the Republican billionaire asserts aims to prevent Tehran from acquiring an atomic bomb.
​When asked why Kim had not responded to his requests for talks since returning to the White House last year, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, "How do you know he didn't respond?" When pressed on whether Kim had indeed responded, Trump replied, "Yes, he did."
​Asked about the current status of talks with Kim, Trump said, "They are very positive," without providing further details. Additional reporting by Anadolu Ajansı notes that US officials have been exploring arrangements for a potential summit later this autumn.
​He then praised Kim, stating that their relationship has reduced overall tensions.
​Source: Rum News Agency