S. Korea expects nuclear deal from Trump, Kim summit

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The Republic of Korea (ROK) has signaled its optimism that a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un could lead to the DPRK giving up its nuclear weapons program.

Kim Eui-kyeom, the spokesman for ROK President Moon Jae-in, said the hopefulness was based on Kim telling ROK National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong that there would be major results from a meeting with Trump.

Moon's spokesman was speaking hours after the surprise announcement on Friday that Trump and Kim would hold a summit before May.

The US president agreed to the meeting after Chung delivered a personal invitation sent by the DPRK leader.

Donald Trump agreed to meet Kim Jong Un just months after a period of extreme tension caused by DPRK missile and nuclear tests. /AFP Photo

Japan's prime minister on Friday also welcomed the surprise announcement.

"I highly appreciate North Korea's (DPRK) change that it will begin talks on the premise of denuclearization," Shinzo Abe said, adding that he planned to visit the United States to meet Trump "as early as April."

"There is no change in policy for Japan and the United States," he added.

"We will keep putting maximum pressure until DPRK takes concrete actions toward denuclearisation in a manner that is complete, verifiable and irreversible."

Abe said he had spoken to Trump after the announcement and "agreed that I'd like to visit the US and have a summit with him as early as April."

Source(s): Reuters