"Confirming Chemistry with Kim Jong-un Takes Less Than a Second"

Trump Indicates Maintaining Friendly Relations Between Leaders Amid North Korea-US Negotiation Deadlock
Trump: "Kim Is More Than Just Clever"
Kim Jong-un Hopes to Relive the Glory of That Day; North Korea-US Leaders Meet at Panmunjom After Personal Letter

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Despite the stalemate in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States, President Donald Trump described North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as "more than smart" and said it took him less than a second to confirm their chemistry.

With President Trump stating that if he wins re-election, he would very quickly reach an agreement with North Korea, it is interpreted that the two leaders still maintain a friendly relationship.

According to U.S. media on the 9th (local time), Bob Woodward's upcoming book "Rage," scheduled for release on the 15th, includes 27 letters from Kim Jong-un to President Trump.

These letters have drawn early attention as they could provide insight into the current state of North Korea-U.S. relations.

Combining President Trump's remarks and some of the disclosed letters from Kim Jong-un, it appears that despite failing to finalize denuclearization negotiations during two North Korea-U.S. summits and one meeting at Panmunjom, the two maintained a considerably friendly relationship.

President Trump told Woodward, "When I first met Chairman Kim at the first summit in 2018, I was surprised to find that he was 'more than smart,'" and reportedly sent Kim a copy of the New York Times front page featuring their photo with a note saying, "Chairman, great photo and a wonderful time."

President Trump also said it took less than a second to confirm their 'chemistry.' This friendliness stems from his unique approach to dealing with dictators.

Referring to his relationships with dictators including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, he said, "The relationships I have are interesting. The rougher and meaner they are, the better I get along with them." Although tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have persisted since the Trump administration began, when President Erdo?an visited the White House last year, Trump called himself "a big fan" of Erdo?an.

President Trump dismissed criticism regarding the three meetings between the North Korea-U.S. leaders by waving his hand and emphasizing, "I did not concede anything," while also stating that the CIA does not know how to handle North Korea.

Kim Jong-un also expressed hope for additional meetings with President Trump. According to letters obtained by Woodward, in a letter sent to President Trump on December 25, 2018, during the push for the second North Korea-U.S. summit, which also served as a New Year's greeting, Kim wrote that he hoped for "another historic meeting between Your Excellency and myself reminiscent of a scene from a fantasy movie."

He further described the North Korea-U.S. talks as a precious memory demonstrating how deep and special friendship can act like a magical force.

In a letter sent on June 10 last year, after the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, ended in failure, Kim stated, "I am pleased to have formed a good relationship with a strong and outstanding politician like Your Excellency," and expressed hope to "relive the glory of that day." Subsequently, the two met at Panmunjom following President Trump's tweet proposing a meeting.

In an interview with Woodward, President Trump expressed strong dissatisfaction with allies. Woodward cited an official saying that President Trump described his military advisors as caring more about trade agreements than alliances, calling them "a bunch of weak people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.