Trump optimistic about making deal with DPRK after missile launch

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U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that he can make a deal with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un in a tweet on Saturday.

Trump said he is "with Kim" and believed the DPRK leader will do nothing to interfere with or end "the great economic potential" of his country.

A screenshot of U.S. President Donald Trump's twitter, May 5, 2019.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) military announced that the DPRK early Saturday had launched what has been described as a "short-range missile" from near Wonsan on the country's east coast.

The move, according to British political and international relations analyst Tom Fowdy, displays discontent towards Washington regarding the direction that the denuclearization talks are going as Kim looks to gain concessions on terms favorable to him.

Earlier, the White House said the U.S. knows of the DPRK's latest action and will monitor the situation."We are aware of North Korea's (the DPRK) actions tonight. We will continue to monitor as necessary," spokesperson Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

ROK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha had telephone talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo concerning the launch shortly after it took place. They agreed to conduct additional analysis on the launches and cautiously tackle it while continuing communications.

Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Trump, informing Trump of the main results of his meeting with Kim, underlining that Pyongyang's "good-faith fulfillment of its commitments" should be accompanied by reciprocal steps to reduce the sanctions pressure on the DPRK, the Kremlin said in a statement. According to Trump, the conversation was "very productive."

(Cover: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un smile before a summit meeting in Hanoi, February 27, 2019. /VCG Photo)