Trump, Kim exchange new letters
U.S. still concerned about denuclearization
WASHINGTON — The White House said Thursday that President Donald Trump received a new letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and responded quickly. The correspondence, following up on their Singapore summit, came amid fresh concerns over Pyongyang’s commitment to denuclearization.
Trump early Thursday tweeted his thanks to the North Korean leader “for your nice letter — I look forward to seeing you soon!”
The White House did not provide details on the content of the letter from Kim, received Wednesday, or of Trump’s reply. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the letters addressed their commitment to work toward North Korea’s “complete denuclearization.”
Sanders said no second meeting is “locked in” as a follow-up to the Singapore summit in June, but they remain open to discussions.
Trump in his tweet expressed gratitude to Kim “for keeping your word” on the return of the remains of more than 50 American service members killed during the Korean War. Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. military leaders received the remains in Hawaii during a somber ceremony Wednesday.
The latest letter from Kim arrived on the heels of concerns over North Korea’s ballistic missile program and commitment to denuclearization. Senior Trump administration officials have urged patience, cautioning that the process of denuclearizing North Korea and removing the threat of its long-range missiles will take time.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was headed to an Asian security meeting in Singapore, where a meeting this weekend with North Korea’s foreign minister was possible.
Trump has sought to show progress from his June 12 summit with Kim. During a Tuesday rally in Tampa, Fla., he noted the return of detained Americans, and Pyongyang’s ceasing of nuclear testing and missile tests. “A lot of good things are happening. No tests. No rockets flying.” Trump said.
The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that U.S. intelligence officials suspect that North Korea is continuing to build new missiles.
The Post also reported that North Korean officials have talked about how they plan to deceive the U.S. about the size of their arsenal of missiles and nuclear warheads and facilities.