[Summary] Kim Jong-un Sends Condolence Message to Trump... First Message to a COVID-Positive Leader

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Dong-pyo] On the 3rd, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, sent a message of consolation to U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This is the first time Chairman Kim has publicly sent a message of sympathy to a foreign leader infected with COVID-19. Chairman Kim and President Trump have frequently exchanged letters around the time of the first North Korea-U.S. summit held in Singapore in June 2018.

In the message of consolation released through the Korean Central News Agency on the same day, Chairman Kim said, "To His Excellency Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, I have received the unexpected news that you and the First Lady have tested positive for the coronavirus." He continued, "I express my sympathy to you and your family. I sincerely hope that you and the First Lady will recover quickly," and comforted, "You will surely overcome this."

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who tested positive for COVID-19, decided to stay for several days at a military hospital near Washington, D.C. According to sources cited by the U.S. Washington Post (WP), President Trump is scheduled to move by helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland near Washington, D.C., in the evening. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is the place President Trump visited last November for a health checkup and is currently known to be equipped with an environment where the president can work.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement on the 2nd (local time), saying, "President Trump continues to feel well, has mild symptoms, and worked throughout the day," adding, "As a precautionary measure and following medical staff recommendations, he will work at Walter Reed (Hospital) for a few days."

Earlier, Dr. Sean Conley, the president's physician, stated in materials distributed in the afternoon that President Trump is in good condition despite lingering fatigue. President Trump canceled his scheduled campaign events in Florida and handed over the last remaining phone call event to Vice President Mike Pence.

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