By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his recent overtures for dialogue, describing the exchange as "very positive".

The announcement comes a day after Trump ordered a substantial reduction in joint US-South Korea military exercises, a move widely seen as a reconciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump fielded questions about why Kim had not publicly responded to his request for talks. "How do you know he hasn't responded?" the president replied. When pressed further, Trump confirmed: "Yeah, he has.

Asked to elaborate on the nature of their communication, Trump simply said it was "very positive," without providing further details on when or how the two leaders interacted.

Trump praised his personal rapport with the North Korean leader, saying, "Kim Jong Un has always treated me with great respect. I understand him. He understands me" . The president argued that his relationship with Kim was making the situation on the Korean Peninsula "much safer" .

Trump and Kim met three times during the president's first term, including the landmark Singapore summit in 2018, but have not met since Trump returned to the White House in 2025. The two leaders had previously signed a joint statement in Singapore pledging to work toward denuclearization, though negotiations ultimately stalled.

South Korea's Unification Ministry on Tuesday expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential resumption of US-North Korea dialogue, saying it hopes a summit between Trump and Kim, if realized, could contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

"If realized, it is expected to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and to a shift toward a phase of inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation," a ministry official told reporters.

The official added that it is the ministry's "consistent" position to support any potential summit between North Korea and the United States.

Seoul also signaled its readiness to play a facilitating role in the diplomatic process. The ministry official said South Korea is prepared to serve as a "pacemaker" to help advance dialogue, adding there would be "various ways" to fulfill that role, including through a peace envoy [citation:0]. The ministry will continue close consultations with relevant government agencies to further develop the pacemaker plan, the official said.

The remarks came after Trump, in a Truth Social post, directed the Pentagon to "substantially" reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, arguing that the drills send a "totally inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea. The president also criticized South Korea for declining to support the US in its conflict with Iran, asking why Washington should continue defending a country that does not reciprocate support.