Trump hints at salvaging North Korea summit
Donald Trump performed yet another about-turn on North Korea on Friday, suggesting the June 12 meeting with its leader Kim Jong Un could be back on.
The U.S. president praised the “warm and productive” statement issued by North Korea following his abrupt decision on Thursday to pull the plug on the Singapore summit.
His reaction came after a senior North Korean official expressed “great regret” at America’s withdrawal and insisted the regime remained open to talks “at any time.”
James Mattis, the U.S. defence secretary, also said yesterday that the meeting could take place as planned, provided “our diplomats can pull it off.”
But whether logistics and policy planning can take place in the time remaining is in doubt. A senior White House official cited North Korea’s failure to attend a planning meeting in Singapore and lack of communication when explaining Trump’s initial decision to cancel the summit.
But yesterday North Korea appeared to have reopened diplomatic channels. It also issued an eventoned message that raised hopes that the original meeting could take place.
Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea’s vice-foreign minister, said in state media: “We have inwardly highly appreciated President Trump for having made the bold decision, which any other U.S. president dared not, and made efforts for such a crucial event as the summit.”
He added: “We even inwardly hoped that what is called the ‘Trump formula’ would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue.”
Kim concluded: “We would like to make known to the U.S. side once again that we have the intent to sit with the U.S. side to solve problem(s), regardless of ways at any time.”
Trump welcomed the comments, tweeting: “Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!”
Asked later about the summit, Trump said: “We’ll see what happens. It could even be the 12th. We’re talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We’d like to do it.”
The U.S. and North Korea still appear far apart in what they want out of the meeting.
The Trump administration has insisted on denuclearization before any economic sanctions are lifted.
But North Korea has rejected calls for it to “unilaterally” denuclearize and appears to favour a tit-for-tat approach of sanctions being lifted alongside any curbing of its nuclear program.