Overview
- President Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year and publicly said North Korea has 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons.
- The White House ordered a shortened schedule for the Ulchi Freedom Shield U.S.–South Korea exercises, with the Pentagon and Seoul confirming the drills will end earlier than planned.
- North Korean state media quoted Kim Yo Jong as saying she was unaware of reported contacts between the leaders and that a reduced drill schedule does not change Pyongyang’s view of U.S. hostility.
- Allies and analysts warned the moves could weaken deterrence, complicate coordination with South Korea and Japan, and leave unclear whether U.S. aims are renewed denuclearization or narrower risk reduction.
- The effort builds on Trump’s earlier 2018–2019 summits with Kim that failed to secure denuclearization and comes as intelligence and think tanks estimate Pyongyang’s stockpile at roughly 50–60 warheads and as reporters say a November APEC meeting is a possible but unconfirmed venue.