Trump says he’ll meet Kim Jong-un before year’s end, says Pyongyang has 57 nukes

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before the year's end. However, Trump did not specify the meeting's time, place, or the status of discussions between Pyongyang and Washington. He did not address whether his goal in engaging with Pyongyang was still denuclearization.

The President claimed that North Korea currently has 57 nuclear weapons. He also stated that Kim Jong-un would be "fine as long as we have a smart president," implying that poor leadership could jeopardize the situation. Trump emphasized his good relationship with Kim, noting that the North Korean leader likes him and vice versa.

The US administration has consistently called for North Korea's denuclearization, but Trump suggested that his leadership would ensure stability and safety for regional nations like Japan and South Korea. He also criticized South Korea's reluctance to support US-led military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the US contributions to the security of its allies.