Kehinde Adegoke | THE CHOSUNILBO
U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited attention on his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un, posting photos and warm remarks on Truth Social that highlight their past meetings.
On August 15, Trump shared an image taken in June 2019 at Panmunjom, the inter‑Korean truce village, during his third encounter with Kim. “Kim Jong‑un and I GET ALONG GREAT!” he wrote, adding that while the photo showed them stern‑faced, “we also have many photos where we are smiling.”
The post follows a similar upload in June, when Trump shared a snapshot from the 2018 Singapore summit showing the two leaders walking together. Analysts suggest the repeated posts are part of a broader strategy to showcase diplomatic achievements and revive stalled foreign policy momentum.
During his first term, Trump met Kim three times, cultivating a personal rapport even as working‑level negotiations collapsed. He has continued to praise Kim, describing him as “another person I get along with well” after his re‑election.
Fred Fleitz of the America First Policy Institute noted earlier this year that Trump “is likely to seek dialogue with North Korea” to restore what he views as a successful relationship from his first term. Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies added that Kim may see opportunity in a “rematch” with Trump, potentially leveraging Trump’s ambitions — including his oft‑mentioned desire for a Nobel Peace Prize.
While the U.S. government maintains its stance on North Korea’s denuclearization, Trump’s tone has been interpreted by some analysts as tacit acknowledgment of Pyongyang’s nuclear status. Cha suggested talks could be timed after the November midterm elections, with Kim possibly proposing halts to U.S. military drills or even a peace treaty.
For now, however, no concrete steps toward a new summit have emerged. Analysts caution that Trump’s overtures may not resonate with Kim, despite the renewed public display of camaraderie.
