Summit with Kim Jong Un to be held in May or early June, says Trump

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US President Donald Trump said Monday he plans to meet with Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) next month or in early June.

Speaking at the White House, Trump expressed hope that relations – which for a century have been marked by war, animosity and a perilous arms race – could be put on a friendlier footing.

Trump told reporters before a cabinet meeting that the summit would be sometime in "May or early June" – letting the original May timeline slip a little, but confirming the meeting is still on.

"I think there will be great respect paid by both parties and hopefully there will be a deal on denuking," he said.

"Hopefully it will be a relationship that will be much different than it has been for many, many years."

Preparations are underway for the two leaders, whose relationship has been strained by a war of words, military threats and personal insults, to meet amid easing in tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

If the summit pushes through, it would be the first time a sitting US president meets a DPRK leader.

Source(s): AFP