US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to restore relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In an interview with Fox News on January 23, Trump emphasized that the North Korean leader is a "smart guy" and assured that he is not a "religious fanatic."
Trump expressed his belief that Kim Jong-un should be "happy" at the news of Trump's return to the White House. At the same time, he called the DPRK a "nuclear state", which caused discussions in the media.
This statement came as a surprise, because for a long time the policy of the United States was not to recognize the nuclear status of North Korea. Former President Barack Obama once directly stated that the US does not recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, despite its calls.
Trump seems to have decided to change Washington's traditional approach to this problem. Fox News reporters suggest that in the renewed dialogue with Kim Jong-un, Trump may even abandon his insistence on the complete nuclear disarmament of North Korea.
This could signal an attempt by Trump to establish a constructive dialogue with the North Korean leader, focusing on real steps to reduce tensions in the region.
