North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, has publicly cast doubt on claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding secret communications between the two nations. While Trump recently suggested that he and Kim were in contact and planning a meeting later this year, Kim Yo-jong stated she knew “absolutely nothing” about such discussions.
The diplomatic friction emerged after President Trump, while announcing that the US would scale back its participation in military exercises with South Korea, claimed he had received a response from the North Korean leader regarding a request for conversation. When pressed by reporters on Wednesday, Trump confirmed his intent to meet with Kim later this year, stating, “I know Kim Jong-un very well and he’s gonna be fine.” He further remarked that the leader’s fate depends on having a “smart president” in the White House.
Despite the president's optimism, Kim Yo-jong’s statement delivered a sharp rebuttal. She emphasized that while she believes her brother maintains “personally good memories and feelings” toward the US president, the United States remains an enemy of Pyongyang. “The United States’ hostile policy toward the DPRK has not changed, and the United States and its followers are vigorously carrying out hostile military activities against the DPRK even at this very moment,” she said in remarks published by North Korean state media.
Regarding the possibility of secret back-channel communications, she noted that it was perhaps the only matter of foreign policy she was unaware of, while simultaneously dismissing the notion that such talks were currently occurring. Additionally, she explicitly denied reports from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggesting that North Korea intended to deploy thousands of troops to support Russia in its ongoing conflict.
During his remarks to the press, President Trump also disclosed specific intelligence, claiming that North Korea currently possesses 57 “very powerful nuclear weapons.” He also reiterated his stance that Iran should be prevented from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that Trump has been urging his aides to organize an in-person summit with Kim, potentially during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen, China.
