Trump says he will meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un later this year
President Donald Trump announced he expects to hold another meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, possibly around the APEC summit in Shenzhen.
Trump told reporters he plans to see Kim Jong Un again before the year ends, referencing one outlet's report that a meeting could be arranged at the November APEC summit in Shenzhen, China. No official confirmation has come from the White House or Pyongyang. He said his aides are reaching out to the North Korean regime to revive talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons program, even as the regime has expanded its arsenal and rejects denuclearization. The president linked the prospective dialogue to his decision to scale back joint U.S.-South Korean drills, which he called a hostile signal.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 2h later
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
- Coverage peaked at 6 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
A potential U.S.-North Korea summit could reshape regional security and affect nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps report Trump’s claim that he will meet Kim Jong Un, but left-leaning coverage stresses skepticism and criticism of the diplomatic move, while center and right-leaning coverage present the statement more plainly with little commentary.
LEFT
Left-leaning coverage frames the story as a dubious diplomatic overture, highlighting doubts about North Korea’s nuclear program, questioning the durability of any deal, and noting criticism from analysts and former officials.
CENTER
Center coverage frames the story as a straightforward report of Trump’s announced intent to meet Kim Jong Un and the concurrent scaling back of U.S.-South Korea drills.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the story as a confirmation of Trump’s plan to meet Kim Jong Un, often emphasizing his personal rapport with the North Korean leader and the reduction of joint drills.
The left emphasises
- Trump’s claim is portrayed as a “love story”-like overture that may not yield denuclearisation (e.g., “Why Trump can’t rekindle the spark with Kim Jong Un”).
- Critics point out North Korea’s continued missile development and ties with Russia, casting doubt on any new deal.
- Former officials warn that the reduced drills are “unnecessary” given the “positive relationship” with a dictator.
The right emphasises
- Trump “gets along” with Kim and calls the relationship a good thing.
- He reiterates the plan to meet later in the year, noting the reduced drills.
- Reports include the number of North Korean nuclear weapons claimed by Trump.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Trump directs Pentagon to cut back joint drills with South Korea
- Aug 16 Trump announced a partial reduction of the drills after Seoul declined to assist on Iran denuclearisation.
- Aug 17 President Donald Trump ordered Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce U.S. participation in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
- Aug 18 Donald Trump posted on Truth Social claiming election fraud, citing India’s election ID rules and urging passage of the SAVE AMERICA ACT.
- Aug 18 The Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day tabletop and field exercise involving about 18,000 South Korean troops, was slated to test responses to regional threats. Trump’s directive, citing good ties with Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s stance on Iran, left the scope of the cuts unclear. Experts warn that trimming costly field maneuvers could erode joint operational familiarity and delay a planned shift to South Korean wartime command. North Korea has already condemned the drills as provocative, threatening a stronger deterrent. Senior US and South Korean officials are meeting to discuss how to adjust the schedule.
- Aug 18 U.S. and South Korean forces launched the ten‑day exercise on Monday, though the scope was trimmed.
- Aug 18 Trump announced a substantial scaling back of U.S. participation in the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills.
- Aug 19 South Korean foreign minister said the drill reduction appears intended to pressure Seoul on Iran and a U.S. investment agreement.
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