WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has intensified efforts this year to revive his personal rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but Pyongyang has yet to respond to overtures made over the summer.
In June, Mr. Trump shared a photo of himself and Mr. Kim during their landmark 2018 summit in Singapore, accompanied by statements describing their relationship as “very good.” Shortly afterward, Mr. Trump announced a reduction in joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, a move that surprised Seoul and was seen as a concession to the North Korean leader. He also indicated a willingness to meet Mr. Kim again before the end of the year.
The possibility of a renewed Trump-Kim summit could emerge around the time of a major Asian economic meeting scheduled for November in southern China, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to visit Washington this week. Mr. Trump plans to discuss North Korea with Mr. Xi, given China’s central role as North Korea’s main diplomatic and economic ally.
While Mr. Xi appears cautious about closer U.S.-North Korea ties, former administration officials suggest he might consider facilitating another summit as a means to curry favor with the Trump camp and enhance China’s leverage in broader U.S.-China relations. This dynamic could also allow Beijing to exert some control over the diplomatic process.
Despite Mr. Trump’s eagerness, North Korea has maintained silence on his latest initiatives. Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader’s sister and close aide, stated last month that no communications between Mr. Kim and Mr. Trump were ongoing, and dismissed any reduction in U.S.-South Korea military drills as insufficient to alter Pyongyang’s stance. The North Korean Foreign Ministry has reiterated its rejection of U.S. denuclearization demands, accusing Washington of hostile policies that threaten the country’s sovereignty and security.
Analysts note that North Korea’s strategic calculus has shifted significantly since the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi summit, where earlier talks between Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim failed to reach an agreement on nuclear disarmament. North Korea has since pursued nuclear weapons development and strengthened ties with Russia, including a 2024 mutual defense pact. Pyongyang’s military involvement alongside Russian forces in Ukraine underscores its growing alignment with Moscow.
Experts argue that Mr. Kim perceives confrontation with the United States as inevitable, a view reinforced by ongoing U.S. involvement in conflicts such as the war with Iran, which Mr. Trump supported alongside Israel. Robert Carlin, a former U.S. intelligence analyst on North Korea, described a “tectonic shift” in Pyongyang’s strategic outlook since 2021, with the regime positioning itself as a leader of anti-imperialist forces.
Within this context, some observers see value in at least initiating dialogue, even if past U.S. approaches—including economic sanctions and military deterrence—have not slowed North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Jung Pak, a former State Department and CIA analyst, emphasized the importance of coordinated diplomacy, criticizing the Trump administration’s unilateral announcement to reduce military exercises without adequately consulting South Korea, which risked undermining the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
As talks remain stalled, questions persist over whether Mr. Kim will respond to Mr. Trump’s overtures and whether China’s involvement will influence a potential resumption of formal dialogue between the United States and North Korea.