Kim Jong-un joins world leaders wishing Trump speedy recovery

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday joined world leaders sending messages of sympathy to President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, wishing them a speedy recovery from the Covid-19 illness.

Mr Trump said Friday he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus, and leaders across the world have sent messages of goodwill to the couple.

“He sincerely hoped that they would recover as soon as possible. He hoped they will surely overcome it,” the Korean Central News Agency said of Mr KIm. “He sent warm greetings to them.”

This marks the first time Kim has sent a message to a world leader who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

Mr Kim and Mr Trump once exchanged threats of destruction and crude insults after North Korea in 2017 carried out a series of high-profile weapons tests aimed at acquiring the ability to launch nuclear strikes on the US mainland.

But they stopped such rhetoric and instead developed a personal relationship after Mr Kim abruptly reached out to Mr Trump in 2018 for talks on the fate of his advancing nuclear arsenal although little progress has been made despite several meetings.