The DPRK's latest diplomatic manoeuvre. Top official General Kim Yong-chol is heading to the United States. Trump said he had put "a great team together" to meet the General.

The meeting is expected to happen on Wednesday, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joining as well. Kim's visit is very significant.

SEAN CALLEBS, WASHINGTON "He is apparently leaving China in a few hours. He is the highest-ranking DPRK official that visited the US in the past 18 years. He has been granted some special waiver to come to the United State." 

As well as the New York talks, a US team has travelled to Korea's demilitarized zone to lay the groundwork for the summit. They are meeting with DPRK and ROK officials. Plus, U.S. and DPRK officials are also meeting in Singapore, the location for the planned summit between Trump and Kim. Additionally, US and Japan leaders have agreed to meet ahead of any talks. Expert says this is Japan's last-ditch efforts to avoid being left out on what's happening on the Korean Peninsula. But the attempt might well be in vain.

TAKESATO WATANABE DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY " Mr Abe is just a front-seat passenger on a car driven by Trump. China can take every possible effort, which is very influential on world politics, but the Japanese Prime Minister is so weak, I am sorry to say it like that."

The main stumbling block for the summit itself is likely to be the concept of "denuclearization". Both sides say they want it, but there's a huge gap between their definitions.  

SEAN CALLEBS, WASHINGTON "The CIA has told Trump that DPRK is not going to drop, it could take as long as 15 years to totally."  

As yet there's no confirmation the Trump-Kim summit is definitely back on. And if it is, whether June 12th is still the date?