President Trump said North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has apologized to the U.S. for recent missile testing, which many interpreted as acts of aggression.
Kim wrote a letter to Trump asking to restart negotiations over denuclearizing North Korea, but only after joint exercises between U.S. and South Korean forces stop.
“In a letter to me sent by Kim Jong Un, he stated, very nicely, that he would like to meet and start negotiations as soon as the joint U.S./South Korea joint exercise are over. It was a long letter, much of it complaining about the ridiculous and expensive exercises,” Trump said on Twitter Saturday.
“It was also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end,” he continued. “I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world!”
….also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end. I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2019
North Korea has test fired short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan on several occasions since nuclear talks stalled in February. The latest missile test took place Friday after Trump had received the letter from Kim.
“[Kim] wasn’t happy with the testing; he put that in the letter,” Trump told the press on Friday. “In the meantime, I say it again: There have been no nuclear tests. The missile tests have all been short-range. No ballistic missile tests. No long-range missiles.”
