Update: President Trump has tweeted his first remarks since accepting the invitation to meet with North Korean leader Kim. Trump explained the background:
"Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. "
And noted confidently that:
"Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!"
Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018
Oh to be a fly on the wall at that meeting!
As we detailed earlier, while speaking to reporters at the White House, South Korean envoy Chung Eui-Yong said, and the White House confirmed, that Trump has accepted to meet Kim Jong Un, by some time in May, in what would be a historic first: no sitting American president has ever met a North Korean leader.
Here is the White House confirmation:
- TRUMP TO ACCEPT INVITE TO MEET WITH N. KOREA'S KIM: WHITE HOUSE
His full remarks below:
WATCH: Full remarks of South Korean security adviser Chung Eui-Yong: "Kim [Jong Un] pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests." https://t.co/R1pNb0btCG pic.twitter.com/DbLdAosam3— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 9, 2018
Chung Eui-yong made the announcement during a news conference outside the White House after meeting with Trump administration officials. Chung said the North Korean leader has expressed his "eagerness to meet with President Trump as soon as possible."
SoKo security adviser Chung Eui-Yong: "[Kim Jong Un] expressed his eagerness to meet @realDonaldTrump as soon as possible." pic.twitter.com/6Hzactb9oH— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 9, 2018
Chung had led a South Korean delegation earlier in the week on a historic trip to Pyongyang. During the trip, the envoys became the first South Korean officials to meet with Kim since he took power in 2011.
Earlier this week, the South Korean envoys announced that Kim told them he is willing to begin negotiations with the United States on abandoning nuclear weapons and that he would suspend all nuclear and missile tests while engaged in talks.
SoKo security adviser Chung Eui-Yong: "Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests." pic.twitter.com/qdDW5WuUH4
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 9, 2018
Chung also told Trump that Kim Jong Un "said he's committed to denuclearization."
SoKo security adviser Chung Eui-Yong: "I told @POTUS that in our meeting, that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he's committed to denuclearization." pic.twitter.com/7eI8P5a3a7— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 9, 2018
While the Trump administration greeted the offer cautiously, expressing both hope that talks can happen and skepticism at Kim’s sincerity, Trump "appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong Un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization."
- WHITE HOUSE SAYS TIME, PLACE OF MEETING YET TO BE DETERMINED
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