The salute came during a historic 2018 summit between Trump and Kim Jong-un held in Singapore.

The North Korean officer saluted Trump and offered his hand for a shake. Trump returned the salute before shaking hands.

The scene was circulated by North Korean state media. The subsequent photo appeared especially egregious, as it implied that Trump’s salute was unprompted.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in Trump’s defense,

It’s a common courtesy when a military official from another government salutes that you return that.

Trump said of the historic meeting that he didn’t need preparation or notes, due to it being all about “attitude” and his having “one of the greatest memories.” He also asked the press to ensure that he and Kim looked “nice and thin and perfect.”

The Hill – North Korea state TV airs footage of Trump saluting North Korean military officer
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The New York Times – White House Defends Trump’s Salute to a North Korean Military Officer
NBC News – North Korean state media footage shows Trump saluting NK general