Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Trump Shares Kim Jong Un Throwback Amid North Korea Drill Tensions
Donald Trump is the leader of the United States and Kim Jong Un is the leader of North Korea.
Trump shared an old picture of himself with Kim Jong Un on his social media app, Truth Social.
In the picture they both look serious, but Trump joked that they actually get along very well.
Around the same time, the US and South Korea are getting ready for big military practice sessions called Ulchi Freedom Shield.
These practices begin on August 17 and go until August 27.
Soldiers will train to protect against drones, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks.
North Korea does not like these practices and says they raise tensions.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry also said the US, Japan, and South Korea are forming a 'nuclear alliance' and warned it will respond to new threats.
North Korea launched a suspected missile on August 12, its second launch in less than a week.
The US called it a 'missile launch' while South Korea's military said it was a ballistic missile headed toward the East Sea.
US President Donald Trump shared a throwback picture with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Truth Social, joking about their 'unfriendly look.'
Trump wrote, 'Despite the unfriendly look on this particular picture, there are many where we're smiling, Kim Jong Un and I get along GREAT!'
North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized upcoming US-South Korea drills, saying cooperation with Japan was becoming a 'nuclear alliance.'
The 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' exercises run August 17-27 and include training against drones, GPS disruption, and cyberattacks.
North Korea conducted a suspected ballistic missile launch on August 12, its second in less than a week, which the US called a 'missile launch.'
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, and the US and South Korean militaries.
- What
- Trump posted a throwback photo with Kim Jong Un on Truth Social saying they get along great, while North Korea criticized upcoming US-South Korea military exercises.
- When
- Saturday (August 15, local time), ahead of the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills scheduled for August 17-27.
- Where
- The post was made from Washington; the criticized exercises involve the US and South Korea on the Korean Peninsula.
- Why
- The remarks came amid North Korea's criticism of the US-South Korea drills as provocations and warnings of a 'nuclear alliance,' following a suspected North Korean missile launch.
North Korea's View
US and Allies' View
US-South Korea military exercises
North Korea's View
North Korea routinely describes the drills as provocations and says they heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
US and Allies' View
The exercises are intended to improve the ability to conduct warfare and help the US and its allies adapt to North Korea's evolving military capabilities, including drones, GPS disruption, and cyberattacks.
US-Japan-South Korea cooperation
North Korea's View
North Korea's Foreign Ministry says the military cooperation is turning into a 'nuclear alliance' and will respond to a new level of threat with a new level of deterrent.
US and Allies' View
The drills are presented as adaptation to 'new aspects of modern warfare' by the US and its allies.
- Post date
- Saturday, August 15 (local time)
- Platform
- Truth Social
- Exercise name
- Ulchi Freedom Shield
- Exercise schedule
- August 17-27
- Exercise focus
- Training to counter drones, GPS disruption, and cyberattacks
- North Korean response
- Called the drills provocations; said US-Japan-South Korea cooperation is turning into a 'nuclear alliance'
- Recent missile activity
- Suspected ballistic missile launch on August 12, second in less than a week
