Trump’s ‘fascination’ with Kim Jong Un risks giving Pyongyang upper hand: Bolton | NK News
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September 17, 2026Sep 17, 2026

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Trump’s ‘fascination’ with Kim Jong Un risks giving Pyongyang upper hand: Bolton

Former national security adviser says ‘maximum pressure’ needed to halt North Korea’s nuclear advances, not summits

President Donald Trump’s continued interest in meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un risks undermining denuclearization efforts, former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has warned, calling for Washington to reverse course in favor of a “maximum pressure” approach to contain the growing threat from Pyongyang.

At a virtual symposium organized by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) on Tuesday, Bolton highlighted Trump’s comments during a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung emphasizing his close personal relationship with Kim as a cause for concern.

“I think the most disturbing thing that came out was Trump’s continued fascination with