President Donald Trump said he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "later this year", pointing to continued direct diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang. The remarks come despite a swift denial from North Korea, suggesting the two sides may hold differing views on the state and prospects of their relationship, and highlight Trump's continued interest in personal diplomacy with Kim.

Speaking to reporters during an impromptu walkthrough of White House construction work on Wednesday, Trump said "I get along with him very well" and confirmed he anticipated meeting Kim before the year's end. In response, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, issued a statement via state media outlet KCNA saying the relationship between the two leaders "remains excellent" but stressing that US "hostile policies" towards North Korea had not changed. Trump declined to elaborate further on the potential meeting.