[Breaking News] Trump says Kim Jong-un 'responding' to proposal for talks... Will inter-Korean, US diplomacy get back on track?

Donald Trump, the US President, confirmed on Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had responded positively to an invitation for talks, reports indicated. This follows Kim's recent directive for a significant reduction in joint US-ROK military exercises, which had prompted the Trump administration to order a major cut to those drills.

The development has sparked renewed interest in resuming North Korea-US presidential diplomacy. At a press briefing following a White House ceremony, Trump was questioned about why Kim had not responded to his earlier invitation to talk. Trump responded by asking, "How do I know he didn't?" and replied, "He did. He responded." When asked how he knew this, Trump said, "Yeah, he has."

He did not disclose the specific details of when or how Kim had responded. The White House stressed that the reduction in joint military exercises was aimed at reducing costs and signaling that the United States does not pose a 'fully inappropriate and hostile' threat to North Korea. Trump maintained that under his administration, North Korea had behaved 'non-threateningly and with respect.'

He firmly rejected accusations that the reduction of joint exercises prioritized US interests over those of North Korea.