Trump accentuated the North’s growth potential and good geographical advantages in a renewed call for Kim to take substantive denuclearization steps.

“He is very much into the fact that he believes like I do that North Korea has a tremendous economic potential like perhaps few other developing nations anywhere in the world,” Trump pointed out.

“I think he is looking to develop that. He knows with nuclear … that is never going to happen. Only bad can happen. He understands that. He is a very smart man. … He gets it well,” he added.

Asked about how he would define Pyongyang’s breach of U.N. sanctions banning its use of ballistic missile technology, Trump highlighted that during his diplomacy with Kim, there had been no nuclear and long-range missile tests.

“Very importantly, there has been no nuclear testing for two years. I looked at the chart the other day. During the past administrations, there were many numbers that were very high, like 10, 12 and 18, having to do with missile launches and nuclear testing,” he said.

“For the last two years, at the bottom it had zero and zero. So I am very happy the way it’s going and intelligence people agree with it,” he added.

Trump also reiterated that he is “in no rush at all.”

“I think he is going to try at some point — I am in no rush at all. Sanctions remain. We have our hostages back. We, as you know, (are) continuing to get the remains (of fallen U.S troops). A lot of good things are happening,” he said.

Trump has been seen as downplaying the North’s missile launches earlier this month, which observers said indicated a growing sense of its frustration over the deadlock negotiations with the U.S.

The nuclear talks have hit an impasse since the second summit between Trump and Kim in Hanoi in February ended without a deal due to gaps over the scope of Pyongyang’s denuclearization and Washington’s sanctions relief.

At the press conference, Abe renewed his desire to meet Kim face to face to address the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North decades ago.

“The most important thing is the solution of the abduction issue,” Abe said. “It means I am resolved that I have to see Chairman Kim directly face to face without attaching any conditions. … I must have discussions in complete candor.”