Trump’s First Question to Korean Tariff Negotiators: “How’s Kim Jong-un Doing?”

According to diplomatic sources on August 6, just before the conclusion of U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations late last month, U.S. President Donald Trump’s first question upon meeting the South Korean delegation was about the whereabouts of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This came shortly after Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers’ Party, had released a statement suggesting that North Korea might be open to talks with the U.S. if Washington recognized Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear power.

On July 30 (local time), President Trump met with the South Korean delegation in the White House Cabinet Room, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan, and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo. The Korean side, tense over the possibility that Trump might raise unanticipated trade demands, was surprised when his first remark was an unexpected question: “How’s Kim Jong-un doing?”

Reportedly, the Korean delegation—made up of officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry—was caught off guard by the question about Kim’s status. A source close to the ruling party commented, “It shows that President Trump still has considerable interest in Kim Jong-un.”

Trump, who met Kim three times and exchanged numerous personal letters during his first term, has repeatedly expressed interest in resuming dialogue with the North Korean leader in his second term. Even right after his second inauguration, Trump stated, “I hope Kim Jong-un returns,” and referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power.” When reports emerged in late June that Kim had refused to accept a personal letter from Trump, the president still told reporters, “I’ve maintained a good relationship with Kim Jong-un and we’ve really gotten along well.”

Although the likelihood of a near-term U.S.–North Korea summit remains slim, there are still signals that both sides are leaving the door open to renewed dialogue. On July 29, Kim Yo-jong issued a statement saying, “We do not deny that the personal relationship between our head of state and the current U.S. president is not bad.” However, she added that any talks would require the U.S. to recognize North Korea’s “irreversible status as a nuclear power” as a precondition—suggesting that only disarmament talks, not denuclearization, would be acceptable.

In response, a senior White House official stated, “The President remains open to engaging with Chairman Kim to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea.” President Trump’s question about Kim Jong-un’s well-being came after this exchange of signals between the two countries.