US President Donald Trump has called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a friend. Along with this, he defended his administration’s differing approaches to the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran. Asked why Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons when North Korea already has nuclear weapons, Trump cited his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

When reporters asked Trump why North Korea has been allowed to have nuclear weapons while his administration strongly opposes Iran acquiring a similar capability, Trump cited his relationship with Kim. Trump said his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is one reason. Calling Kim his friend, he said that the two like each other. Trump also held previous American governments responsible for North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons.

‘Kim is my friend, she likes me’

Trump spoke to reporters after his meeting with AI officials at the White House on Tuesday (September 29). Trump was asked by reporters why the US has a different stance on North Korea’s nuclear weapons while his administration is emphasizing preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In response, Trump said, ‘Kim Jong Un happens to be my friend.’

“He’s my friend,” Trump said, referring to his relationship with Kim Jong Un, “he likes me, not everyone else.” ‘I’m almost the only person in the whole world he likes, and I like him too. I get a lot of criticism when I say this. People say it’s too bad.

Previous US presidents guilty

Trump also argued that North Korea’s nuclear capability has increased because previous US administrations failed to take the necessary steps to prevent the country from developing its weapons program. Trump said, ‘They have a nuclear capability, a large nuclear capability, a very large nuclear capability, not like us, but they have a nuclear capability.’ He continued, ‘You know why? Because they had a president who didn’t do what I did. Trump blamed previous US presidents for allowing the nuclear program to develop.

North Korea has developed a nuclear weapons program for several decades and has conducted numerous nuclear tests, establishing it as a nuclear-armed state.

Trump and Kim meet

Trump has previously described his personal relationship with Kim as an important part of his diplomatic approach to Pyongyang. The two leaders held several meetings during Trump’s first term, including summits in Singapore in 2018 and in Hanoi in 2019. Trump believes direct talks with Kim can prevent tensions between the two countries from escalating into a military confrontation.

Emphasis on personal relationships

Trump has repeatedly emphasized his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim as part of efforts to resume direct talks with him. He has said he hopes to meet Kim again this year and has also acknowledged that North Korea has nuclear weapons.

Trump has a different view on Iran

Trump has taken a different approach to Iran, where Washington has taken a hard line against Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons and has made economic sanctions and military deterrence part of its strategy. The United States has long opposed Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, arguing that a bomb made by Iran could pose a threat to Israel and other US allies in the region and trigger a nuclear arms race. Trump has repeatedly said that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

This issue has become even more important during the current US-Iran war. The conflict began on February 28 with an attack on Iran by the US and Israel. Washington said its main goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, Iran has denied trying to build nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Despite efforts at reconciliation, fighting between the two countries has continued and the conflict has escalated in recent months.