On the afternoon of August 17, EST, US President Trump was asked by the media at the White House about North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un “why he did not respond to his request for dialogue.” Trump responded: “He responded.” However, no further details were revealed. The day before, Trump posted on social media that he had ordered the US to reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump also said, “Kim Jong-un has always had great respect for me. We had two important meetings, talked, and spent time together. I know him, and he knows me.” Furthermore, Trump also complained to the media that South Korea was unwilling to pay the so-called “protection fee,” or defense cost sharing, according to the amount he requested.

On the afternoon of August 17, US Eastern Time, US President Trump was asked by the media at the White House about North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un “why he did not respond to his request for dialogue.” To which Trump responded, “He responded.” However, no further details were revealed. The day before, Trump posted on social media that he had ordered the US to reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump also said, “Kim Jong-un has always had great respect for me. We had two important meetings, talked, and spent time together. I know him, and he knows me.” Furthermore, Trump also complained to the media that South Korea was unwilling to pay the so-called “protection fee,” or defense cost sharing, according to the amount he requested.