What Trump’s new approach means for North Korea's nuclear program: Key changes explained

The South Korean president announced that Donald Trump is shifting his attention to North Korea’s nuclear program, signaling a major diplomatic move now that Washington has reached an accord with Iran.

The news broke during a Friday news conference that Trump told the South Korean president over a G7 dinner that “ the time had come to pay attention to the North Korea issue.”

Meanwhile, these latest developments signal a renewed international focus on containing Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.

In this regard, Lee said: “Even a small amount of assistance from Russia is of great help to North Korea.”

The two Koreas remain in a geopolitical situation because the 1950-53 conflict concluded in an armistice rather than peace agreement. At present, they are separated by a heavily fortified Demoralized Zone (DMZ).

Notably, North Korea introduced its first nuclear test in 2006 and is now estimated to possess dozens of nuclear weapons.

Kim has strengthened his position to enhance his standing with allies; concurrently sending troops and munitions to assist Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

It has been observed that China’s President Xi Jinping has held consecutive summits in Beijing with Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Kim seeks to expand North Korea’s nuclear capabilities after revealing a new facility for fissile material production.

Trump reportedly met Kim three times during his first term, once describing their mutual affection as he pushed to negotiate and reach a landmark agreement on denuclearization. 

Trump confirmed his openness to meeting with Kim during a tour of Asia last year. In addition, the US president broke with decades of established US policy by stating that North Korea was effectively a nuclear power.