Trump Says Communication With North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Is Showing Progress

U.S. President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded positively to recent American diplomatic efforts.

Trump made the comments while discussing the future of U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which his administration has moved to reduce.

The development could become significant if communication between Washington and Pyongyang develops into more formal negotiations.

Relations between the United States and North Korea have historically been difficult, with disagreements over military activity and North Korea’s nuclear programme remaining major obstacles.

For South Korea, any change in Washington’s approach will also be closely watched because of the country’s security relationship with the United States.

Trump’s latest comments therefore add another potentially important development to the complicated diplomatic situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Source: Al Jazeera/Reuters reporting, August 18, 2026.