U.S. President Donald Trump has again highlighted his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying he gets along well with Kim while referring to “112 nuclear missiles” during a campaign rally in Ohio.
Trump made the remarks on October 3 while discussing the importance of maintaining relationships with leaders of major nuclear powers. He said he gets along “very well” with Kim Jong-un and suggested that maintaining good relations is particularly important when dealing with leaders who possess significant nuclear capabilities.
“When someone has 112 nuclear missiles, it’s good to get along,” Trump said, according to reports of his remarks at the rally.
However, the exact meaning and basis of the figure 112 remain unclear. Trump previously referred to North Korea as possessing 57 nuclear weapons in August, making the latest figure significantly different from his earlier statement. Reports say it is not clear whether Trump was referring specifically to nuclear missiles, warheads or another measure of North Korea’s strategic arsenal.
Trump’s comments come as Washington continues to signal an interest in maintaining dialogue with Pyongyang. He has previously expressed confidence in his personal relationship with Kim, with the two leaders having held three high-profile meetings during Trump’s first presidency.
North Korea, meanwhile, continues to develop its missile capabilities. On October 3, North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong-un supervised a strategic missile test, further highlighting the country’s expanding military capabilities.
Trump’s latest remarks have renewed attention on his approach to North Korea and his willingness to use personal diplomacy when dealing with nuclear-armed states.
