Trump says he plans to meet Kim Jong-un this year

In mid-August 2026, US President Donald Trump said he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before the end of the year, according to multiple reports. Trump also claimed that Kim possesses 57 very powerful nuclear weapons. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions over North Korea's weapons programs and stalled denuclearization talks.

North Korea has dismissed Trump's recent offer to reduce military drills as an empty gesture. Meanwhile, Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un's sister and a senior official, denied reports that North Korea sent additional troops to Russia for the war in Ukraine, contradicting a claim by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Trump's outreach has also raised questions about its impact on South Korea's defense plans.