Donald Trump says he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un 'this year'

During an Oval Office meeting with South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung, US President Donald Trump said he would like to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as soon as this year.

"I spend a lot of free time with him talking about things that we probably aren't supposed to talk about. And, you know, I just, I get along with him really well. I think he has a country of great potential, tremendous potential," Trump added.

Recalling entering North Korea through the demilitarised zone (DMZ) with South Korea in 2019, Trump said "everyone went crazy," but that he felt safe.

"I felt safe because I have a great relationship with Kim Jong-un. I hope it stays that way, I think it will," he told reporters.

South Korea's president Lee encouraged Trump to continue to help with Korean peace efforts and even proposed the idea of a Trump Tower in North Korea.

Prior to his meeting with Lee, Trump took to social media on Monday and threatened not to do business with Seoul because of a “purge or revolution” that he claimed was taking place in the country.

However, any tensions between the two quickly disappeared after Lee showered the US president with praise. The South Korean leader complimented the Oval Office decor, saying it looked very "bright and beautiful" and "symbolised the future and prosperity of America."

The cordial display showed how world leaders are taking notes from previous meetings between Trump and heads of state, who've chosen mainly the route of praise and adulation rather than confrontation as they seek favourable trade terms and continued military aid from Washington.

Asked about whether he would consider reducing the number of US troops in South Korea, Trump sidestepped the question but said he’d like to scrap the US lease with South Korea covering a large military base.

Osan Air Base is a joint US Air Force and South Korean base on South Korea’s west coast.

"I would like to see if we could get rid of the lease, and get ownership of the land where we have a massive military base," Trump said.