Kim’s right-hand man, Kim Yong Chol, was due in Washington a day after talks in New York with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made what the US diplomat called “real progress” toward holding the planned June 12 summit. Meanwhile, back in Pyongyang, the Nor
As nuke summit takes shape
NEW YORK (AFP) — US President Donald Trump will receive a letter from his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un today, a much-anticipated moment as preparations for a historic nuclear summit gain pace.
Many expert observers expect Kim, perhaps with tacit Chinese backing, to demand that Washington also reduce its own military footprint in South Korea and loosen its guarantees to treaty ally Japan.
But Pompeo suggested things are moving in the right direction.
“It will take bold leadership from Chairman Kim if we were able to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course for the world,” he said.
“President Trump and I believe Chairman Kim is the kind of leader who can make those kind of decisions, and in the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to test whether or not this is the case.”
Kim Yong Chol — the most senior official from Pyongyang to visit the United States in 18 years — is expected to present an eagerly expectant Trump with a letter from his young leader.
But Pompeo warned this message in itself may not resolve all the issues standing in the way of the summit.
“This is a difficult, difficult challenge. Make no mistake about it. There remains a great deal of work to do,” Pompeo said, citing ongoing talks in Singapore and in the demilitarized zone on the Korean border.