President Trump stated Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his recent attempts at re-engagement, though he offered no specifics. This follows Trump’s decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing costs and Seoul’s stance on Iran, a move welcomed by North Korea which views the drills as provocative. While Trump and Kim previously engaged in direct diplomacy, including summits in 2018 and 2019, negotiations stalled over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Despite Kim Yo Jong’s dismissive comments regarding using personal relationships for denuclearization, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in resuming dialogue. Since the last meeting in 2019, North Korea has deepened its ties with Russia and China, even reportedly providing missiles used in the Ukraine war. Neither the White House nor North Korea’s UN mission immediately commented on Trump’s claim of a response.