U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred international attention by referring to North Korea as a "nuclear power," a statement that could imply acknowledgment of the country’s nuclear capabilities.
On October 24th, while aboard Air Force One ahead of his Asia tour, President Trump addressed a question about whether he would recognize North Korea’s nuclear status. He remarked, “They already have many nuclear weapons,” adding, “I’ll say that.”
This is not the first instance where Trump has used similar terminology regarding North Korea. Earlier, during his inauguration in January, he referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as heading a “nuclear power,” a phrase he has occasionally repeated. At the time, White House officials urged caution in interpreting the comment, framing it as a factual reference to North Korea’s nuclear arsenal rather than a formal diplomatic recognition. Observers suggested that Trump may not have been fully aware of the implications of labeling a state a "nuclear power."
Nonetheless, these recent remarks are likely to attract scrutiny because they touch upon the sensitive issue of officially acknowledging North Korea’s nuclear capability. The U.S. has historically refrained from recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state, maintaining a policy of denuclearization, which conflicts with any such acknowledgment.
Earlier in the day, President Trump expressed interest in meeting with Kim Jong-un during his upcoming trip to South Korea. When asked about potential talks, he said, “I would like to meet,” and added, “I have gotten along with him very well,” highlighting a continued willingness for direct engagement with the North Korean leader.
