WASHINGTON, June 11, 2019 — The United States will not recruit or “run” agents to gain intelligence on North Korea, President Trump said Tuesday, citing yet another “beautiful letter” he’d received from North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un.
Trump was speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One en route to Iowa, when he was asked about a report by the Wall Street Journal alleging that that Kim’s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, had been a Central Intelligence Agency asset.
“I don’t know, I have not heard about that,” Trump said. He then proceeded to contradict himself and promise Kim regime that there would be no further spying against him by the United States.
“I saw the information about the CIA with respect to his brother or half-brother, and I would tell him that would not happen under my auspices, that’s for sure,” Trump said, adding for emphasis: “I would not let that happen under my auspices.”
Trump then revealed that he’d received “a beautiful letter” from the North Korean dictator.
“I can’t show you the letter, obviously, but it was very personal, very warm, very nice letter,” Trump said, adding that the so-called Hermit Kingdom has “great potential” under Kim’s leadership.
When asked if Trump had ordered any intelligence agencies to cease operations directed at North Korea, a spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Dan Coates referred questions to the White House.
The White House had not yet responded to a request for comment at our deadline.