Trump Says He Gets Along Well With Kim Jong-un: 'When Someone Has 112 Nuclear Missiles, It's Good to Get Along'

▲ U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 3rd (local time) that it is good to maintain good relations with the leaders of nuclear-armed nations, emphasizing that he gets along very well with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

During a mid-term campaign rally in Ohio that day, President Trump explained why he maintains good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying, "Isn't it a good thing to have good relations with the leaders of massive nations and massive nuclear-armed states?"

He continued, "I get along very well with Kim Jong-un," adding, "Do you know who that is? North Korea. When people have 112 nuclear missiles, it's good to get along."

Given that President Trump's mention of "112 nuclear missiles" came right after referencing leader Kim, it is presumed to refer to North Korea's nuclear missiles.

Last August, President Trump mentioned that North Korea possesses "57 very powerful nuclear weapons."

It remains unclear whether the figure of "112" presented this time was based on accurate information or if there was a slip of the tongue during his remarks.

Given that it is difficult to see North Korea's nuclear capabilities nearly doubling in less than two months, it is possible that President Trump misstated the figure while speaking.

Estimates of the number of North Korean nuclear weapons also vary considerably by organization.

Former Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-bak stated last August, based on the analysis of a domestic research institute, regarding North Korea's nuclear weapon stockpile, "Generally, it is viewed to be around 80 to 120."

Since referring to North Korea as a "Nuclear Power" on January 20 of last year, his inauguration day for a second term, President Trump has frequently used expressions that seem to treat North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons as a fait accompli.

Some interpretations suggest this reflects the realization that achieving the goal of denuclearization is not realistically easy as North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities advance.

However, the U.S. government has maintained its stance that there is no change in its North Korea policy goal of "complete denuclearization."

While saying this, President Trump stated on the day, "But there is a difference," adding, "Iran will never have a nuclear missile."

While citing North Korea's nuclear capability as a reason to maintain good relations with leader Kim, he drew a clear line against Iran—which does not yet possess nuclear weapons—acquiring them.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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