![]()
Trump, Kim wage intense tug-of-war ahead of summit
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting.
White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, “now is the time” for the two countries’ leaders to hold their first-ever summit.
The U.S. delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a “substantial chance” the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal.
Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: “It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we’ll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea.”
But he added: “We’ll see.”
Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between U.S. and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation.
Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction.
Pompeo said he was “very hopeful” the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months.
Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away. (Reuters)
North Korea blasts US VP for ‘stupid’ remarks
North Korea says recent comments by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence were ”stupid” and ”ignorant” and is again warning it is willing to pull out of a planned summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump.
Choe Son-hui, the vice minister of foreign affairs, was quoted Thursday by the North’s state-run news agency slamming comments Pence made in an interview with Fox News that compared North Korea to Libya.
She is questioning whether the summit, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, will be worthwhile if the remarks reflect Washington’s position.
Choe says, ”Whether the U.S. will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behavior of the United States.” (AP)
Pompeo: Fate of US-North Korea summit hinges on Kim Jong-un
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he’s ”very hopeful” that a planned U.S.-North Korean summit will proceed but laid the fate of the historic meeting squarely with Kim Jong Un, who won’t be reassured by U.S. demands for ”rapid denuclearization.”
The decision about whether the June 12 meeting in Singapore between Kim and President Donald Trump happens is ”ultimately up to Chairman Kim,” Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Lawmakers’ questioning of Pompeo followed Trump’s comment Tuesday that ”there’s a very substantial chance” the meeting would not proceed as scheduled. (AP)
Related Stories
Trump says ‘we’ll know next week’ about Kim summit [VIDEO]
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled,…
Source:koreatimes.co.kr
Trump, Kim wage intense tug-of-war ahead of summit
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting.
White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, “now is the time” for the two countries’ leaders to hold their first-ever summit.
The U.S. delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a “substantial chance” the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal.
Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: “It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we’ll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea.”
But he added: “We’ll see.”
Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between U.S. and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation.
Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction.
Pompeo said he was “very hopeful” the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months.
Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away. (Reuters)
North Korea blasts US VP for ‘stupid’ remarks
North Korea says recent comments by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence were ”stupid” and ”ignorant” and is again warning it is willing to pull out of a planned summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump.
Choe Son-hui, the vice minister of foreign affairs, was quoted Thursday by the North’s state-run news agency slamming comments Pence made in an interview with Fox News that compared North Korea to Libya.
She is questioning whether the summit, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, will be worthwhile if the remarks reflect Washington’s position.
Choe says, ”Whether the U.S. will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behavior of the United States.” (AP)
Pompeo: Fate of US-North Korea summit hinges on Kim Jong-un
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he’s ”very hopeful” that a planned U.S.-North Korean summit will proceed but laid the fate of the historic meeting squarely with Kim Jong Un, who won’t be reassured by U.S. demands for ”rapid denuclearization.”
The decision about whether the June 12 meeting in Singapore between Kim and President Donald Trump happens is ”ultimately up to Chairman Kim,” Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Lawmakers’ questioning of Pompeo followed Trump’s comment Tuesday that ”there’s a very substantial chance” the meeting would not proceed as scheduled. (AP)
Related Stories
Trump says ‘we’ll know next week’ about Kim summit [VIDEO]
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled,…
Source:koreatimes.co.kr