Trump Takes Credit for Apparent Thaw in North, South Korea Relations

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he was responsible for a scheduled resumption of talks between North and South Korea, posting on Twitter the impetus was his "firm" and "strong" leadership.

On Wednesday, the two countries reopened a cross-border hotline that had been shut down since 2016 after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to send a team to the Winter Olympic Games hosted by the South next month. After the reopening, South Korea confirmed that officials from both countries talked for 20 minutes, according to Associated Press.

Seoul responded to Kim's overture by proposing high-level talks on Tuesday to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the North's possible participation in the Winter Olympic Games the South is hosting next month.

North Korea has drawn increased scrutiny from the international community in recent months because of a number of missile launches and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

Pyongyang has dismissed new sanctions and tough talk from the Trump administration as it continues to develop its weapons program, which North Korea has said is being developed to defend against U.S. aggression.

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