U.S. President Donald Trump expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again before the end of 2026, with the White House hoping to arrange the summit around the November APEC gathering in Shenzhen, China. Trump asserted that Pyongyang possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons, a figure he offered without elaboration.
The announcement comes after Trump ordered a reduction in joint military drills with Seoul. However, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, said she was unaware of any recent contact between her brother and the U.S. president, casting doubt on how far planning has progressed.
Amid the diplomatic maneuvering, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for complete military independence from the United States. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Seoul for talks with his counterpart Cho Hyun, underscoring Beijing's interest in the shifting peninsula dynamics.