Donald Trump Tells Reporters 'I Get Along With Him' While Hinting at a Meeting With Kim Jong Un

US President Donald Trump suggested in Washington on Monday, 12 October, that he could meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in November. His remarks came as Pyongyang conducted further ballistic missile tests, complicating prospects for renewed diplomacy.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked whether he planned to see Kim during his upcoming visit to Asia.

'I may, I may, yeah,' he replied.

'That'll be exciting, won't it? But I get along with him,' Trump added, according to a recording of his remarks.

The comments offered no confirmation of a meeting. Trump provided no date, venue or indication that Pyongyang had agreed to talks.

APEC Trip Revives High-Stakes Summit Diplomacy

Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, China, on 18 and 19 November. North Korea is not among APEC's 21 member economies, meaning any encounter with Kim would require separate arrangements.

Trump has been exploring the possibility for months. In August, the Wall Street Journal reported that he had instructed aides to explore another meeting, potentially around the November summit. Formal preparations were not under way at the time.

The leaders met three times during Trump's first presidency. Their first summit took place in Singapore in June 2018, followed by talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2019. They met again at Panmunjom, on the inter-Korean border, that June.

Those encounters attracted worldwide attention but produced no lasting agreement on Pyongyang's nuclear programme. The Hanoi summit ended without a deal amid disagreements over denuclearisation measures and sanctions relief.

Kim has also left room for renewed contact, although on his own terms. In September 2025, he said he retained a 'good memory' of Trump and could consider talks if Washington abandoned denuclearisation as a precondition.

The North Korean leader maintained that his country would not relinquish its nuclear weapons, leaving a fundamental obstacle to another diplomatic agreement.

Missile Launches Underscore Tense Backdrop

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles from near Pyongyang on Monday. At least one travelled more than 900 kilometres towards waters east of the Korean Peninsula, according to the military.

The launches marked North Korea's fourth round of ballistic missile testing in approximately one month. They followed South Korea's recent hypersonic missile test, although the timing does not establish a direct response to Trump's diplomatic overtures.

On Tuesday, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said a tactical ballistic missile test had demonstrated improvements to a key component.

The agency claimed the upgrade would improve offensive weapons systems but released insufficient technical information for independent verification.

Kim also attended Sunday's opening of a defence museum with his daughter, according to North Korean state media. Exhibits included the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, presented as part of the country's weapons development programme.

The missile launches and weapons display highlighted Pyongyang's continuing military activity while the possibility of renewed negotiations remained uncertain.

Strains With Seoul Complicate Diplomatic Push

Any renewed diplomacy would unfold amid strains between Washington and Seoul over investment and military cooperation.

Trump has claimed South Korea would invest approximately $54 billion (€48.3 billion and £40.8 billion) in an Alaska liquefied natural gas project under a wider $350 billion (€312.8 billion and £264.3 billion) investment framework. South Korean officials, however, disputed suggestions that the Alaska commitment had been finalised.

Donald Trump hints at renewed talks with Kim Jong Un amid fresh North Korean missile tests.
Tia Dufour; Official White House Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

South Korea's industry ministry said both governments had agreed to review the project, with participation dependent on commercial viability and domestic legal requirements.

Military cooperation has also faced disagreements. In August, Trump directed a reduction in the main Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise involving US and South Korean forces.

The exercise ended on 21 August after five days rather than the planned 11, although some field training continued separately.

Trump has also criticised Seoul for offering insufficient support during the Iran conflict. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ruled out deploying military assets to participate in the war while considering separate measures to safeguard commercial shipping.