But despite the public bluster, the president told Wead that he and Kim had good “chemistry” and they both wanted to avoid conflict. Wead also cites a letter in which Kim calls Trump “your Excellency.” “I firmly believe that the strong will, sincere efforts and unique approach of myself and your Excellency, Mr. President, aimed at opening up a new future between the DPRK and the US will surely come to fruition,” he said.

When Wead discussed the letters with White House adviser Jared Kushner, Kushner suggested Kim had problems with Trump because of issues surrounding his own father.

“‘It’s a father thing,’ Kushner observed. ‘You can see from these letters that Kim wants to be friends with Trump, but his father told him never to give up the weapons. That’s his only security. Trump is like a new father figure. So, it is not an easy transition.'”