Donald Trump says he has "largely solved" issues with North Korea and revealed Kim Jong Un now has his direct phone number.
The comments come after the two leaders met earlier this week at an historic summit in Singapore, where the North Korean leader signed a document committing to "complete denuclearisation".
He also spoke admirably about Mr Kim's "strong" leadership during a television interview, adding: "He speaks and his people sit up to attention – I want my people to do the same."
Speaking at a White House news conference, which followed on Friday, the US president said former leader Barack Obama had warned him of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme, saying it was the "most dangerous problem" for the United States.
"I have solved that problem," said the billionaire tycoon. "Now we're getting it memorialised and all but that problem is largely solved."
Mr Trump spoke about the "shock" of his critics and revealed he had given his North Korean counterpart his direct line.
"We signed a very good document," he said. "But more importantly than the document I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un.
"That's a very important thing. I can now call him… I gave him a very direct number. He can now call me if he has any difficulty. We have communication."
"People are shocked," he continued. "They thought Trump was going to get in, 'he's going to start throwing bombs all over the place' – it's actually the opposite."
Mr Trump also said he was due to call Mr Kim on Sunday following the Singapore summit on Tuesday.
0:57When asked in a Fox News interview about his plans for Father's Day on Sunday, the US leader said: "I'm going to be actually calling North Korea."
In the interview, he went on to talk about the "great relationship" between the two leaders and complimented Mr Kim's leadership style.
"He's the head of a country – I mean he's the strong head, don't let anyone think any different," said Mr Trump. "He speaks and his people sit up to attention – I want my people to do the same.
"We have a really great relationship for the first time – no president's ever had this… I get hit because I went there, I gave him credibility."
At a news conference after the Singapore summit, Mr Trump hailed the progress made with Mr Kim – despite previously calling him "little rocket man" and threatening "fire and fury".
"Anyone can make war but only the most courageous can make peace," he said.
The latest North Korea remarks follow Mr Trump announcing a 25% tariff on $50bn in Chinese imports.
More from Donald Trump
He also told reporters on Friday he disputed findings by the Justice Department that former FBI director James Comey's handling of the Hilary Clinton probe into her emails was not politically motivated.
He said the FBI was biased "at the top level" and "plotting against my election".
Donald Trump says he has "largely solved" issues with North Korea and revealed Kim Jong Un now has his direct phone number.
The comments come after the two leaders met earlier this week at an historic summit in Singapore, where the North Korean leader signed a document committing to "complete denuclearisation".
He also spoke admirably about Mr Kim's "strong" leadership during a television interview, adding: "He speaks and his people sit up to attention – I want my people to do the same."
Speaking at a White House news conference, which followed on Friday, the US president said former leader Barack Obama had warned him of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme, saying it was the "most dangerous problem" for the United States.
"I have solved that problem," said the billionaire tycoon. "Now we're getting it memorialised and all but that problem is largely solved."
Mr Trump spoke about the "shock" of his critics and revealed he had given his North Korean counterpart his direct line.
"We signed a very good document," he said. "But more importantly than the document I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un.
"That's a very important thing. I can now call him… I gave him a very direct number. He can now call me if he has any difficulty. We have communication."
"People are shocked," he continued. "They thought Trump was going to get in, 'he's going to start throwing bombs all over the place' – it's actually the opposite."
Mr Trump also said he was due to call Mr Kim on Sunday following the Singapore summit on Tuesday.
0:57When asked in a Fox News interview about his plans for Father's Day on Sunday, the US leader said: "I'm going to be actually calling North Korea."
In the interview, he went on to talk about the "great relationship" between the two leaders and complimented Mr Kim's leadership style.
"He's the head of a country – I mean he's the strong head, don't let anyone think any different," said Mr Trump. "He speaks and his people sit up to attention – I want my people to do the same.
"We have a really great relationship for the first time – no president's ever had this… I get hit because I went there, I gave him credibility."
At a news conference after the Singapore summit, Mr Trump hailed the progress made with Mr Kim – despite previously calling him "little rocket man" and threatening "fire and fury".
"Anyone can make war but only the most courageous can make peace," he said.
The latest North Korea remarks follow Mr Trump announcing a 25% tariff on $50bn in Chinese imports.
More from Donald Trump
He also told reporters on Friday he disputed findings by the Justice Department that former FBI director James Comey's handling of the Hilary Clinton probe into her emails was not politically motivated.
He said the FBI was biased "at the top level" and "plotting against my election".
