Trump Defends North Korea Nuclear Status Citing Kim Friendship

President Donald Trump defended North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons on Tuesday, citing his personal friendship with leader Kim Jong Un. Speaking at the White House, Trump asserted that Kim respects and likes him, stating that the North Korean leader will be fine as long as Trump remains in office. He attributed North Korea's nuclear capacity—estimated by SIPRI at approximately 60 warheads as of early 2026—to the failures of previous U.S. administrations.

To signal goodwill and facilitate renewed diplomacy, Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises with South Korea, which he described as inappropriate and hostile. He linked the reduction of these exercises to South Korea's refusal to assist in the denuclearization of Iran. Trump expressed interest in meeting Kim again this year, potentially during the APEC summit in China in November.

In contrast, the Trump administration continues to block Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The U.S. rejected a recent Iranian proposal over the weekend and continues indirect talks through mediators like Qatar. Meanwhile, the government of North Korea has accused the United States of undermining global non-proliferation efforts through its cooperation with NATO, AUKUS, Japan, and South Korea.