Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday engaged in brief video-linked discussions with American troops stationed in South Korea, inquiring about the well-being of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This interaction took place as Trump attended a formal inaugural ball in Washington.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Commander-In-Chief Ball was part of the inaugural celebrations following Trump's swearing-in as the 47th president of the United States at the Capitol Rotunda. The event was one of three inaugural balls, alongside the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.
During the video call with U.S. Forces Korea personnel at Camp Humphreys, a significant military base located approximately 65 kilometers south of Seoul, Trump asked, "How are we doing over there? How's Kim Jong-un doing?" His tone suggested a mix of seriousness and humor as he engaged with the troops.
Trump remarked on the challenging nature of dealing with the North Korean leader, acknowledging the troops' position against "somebody with pretty bad intentions." Despite asserting he had developed a "pretty good relationship" with Kim, Trump described him as "a tough cookie."
Having assumed the role of commander-in-chief at noon, Trump's interaction with the troops highlighted ongoing concerns about North Korea. His previous visit to Camp Humphreys occurred in November 2017, accompanied by then South Korean President Moon Jae-in.