North Korea official heads to US for talks

Donald Trump has confirmed that a top North Korean official is heading to New York for talks on an upcoming summit between the US president and Kim Jong Un.

President Trump tweeted that Kim Yong Chol was travelling to New York as part of ongoing meetings between the two countries to arrange the summit on the future of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

Mr Trump tweeted: “We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!”

Kimyongcholisaformer military intelligence chief and now a vice-chairman of North Korea’s ruling party central committee.

The news comes after Mr Trump withdrew from the planned summit last Thursday, citing hostile North Korean comments, but has since said the meeting in Singapore could still happen next month.