Politics
21:47, 25-May-2018
Trump says discussions with DPRK underway, leaves open possibility of June 12 summit
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US President Donald Trump said on Friday discussions with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) are underway and it’s possible a planned summit with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un could still take place on June 12 as originally planned.
"We're going to see what happens. We're talking to them right now. It could even be the 12th ... We'd like to do it," Trump told reporters, one day after he canceled the highly anticipated meeting.
Shortly after the DPRK's demolition of its "famous and secret" nuclear test site, Trump responded with a surprising cancellation letter.
Trump blamed "open hostility" from the DPRK for his decision to call off the talks, and warned the DPRK against committing any "foolish or reckless acts."
US President Donald Trump leaves the White House for a trip to Annapolis, Maryland, May 25, 2018. /Reuters Photo
US President Donald Trump leaves the White House for a trip to Annapolis, Maryland, May 25, 2018. /Reuters Photo
But Pyongyang's reaction to the sudden U-turn has so far been conciliatory.
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan called Trump's decision "unexpected" and "regrettable," but he left the door open for talks, saying officials were willing "to sit face-to-face at any time."
Just before Trump announced the cancellation of the meeting, the DPRK declared it had "completely" dismantled its nuclear test site in the country's far northeast, in a carefully choreographed goodwill gesture ahead of the summit.
The facility was destroyed at 4:20 p.m. local time (0720 GMT), and all invited reporters watched it from about 500 meters away. Video footage showed a series of explosions being detonated and tunnel entrances collapsing.
The DPRK says it has completely destroyed the Punggye-ri nuclear test facility. /AFP Photo
The DPRK says it has completely destroyed the Punggye-ri nuclear test facility. /AFP Photo
China on Friday called for the DPRK and US to cherish the current progress and continue to promote denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
"We believe that the DPRK and US summit will promote the denuclearization of the peninsula and we hope they can cherish the progress and demonstrate good will and continue to promote denuclearization and decrease the concerns from both sides,” said Lu Kang, spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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The international community has expressed deep concern after the cancellation of the highly-anticipated Trump-Kim summit.