Donald Trump accepts invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
Washington, Mar 9 (IBNS): In a significant development, US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump tweeted: " Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!"
The announcement over the meeting was made in Washington by South Korea officials.
They passed on a letter from the North Korean leader.
The meeting, which would be the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, will happen by May, according to South Korea's national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, who delivered the invitation to Trump after a visit by his delegation to Pyongyang earlier this week, CNN reported.
The move appears to be a major breakthrough after months of barbs exchanged between North Korea and the US.
Fresh development in the relationship between North Korea, South Korea and the US began recently when a North Korea delegation was invited to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Meanwhile, the White House also confirmed that Trump has accepted North Korea's invitation for a meet.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement: " I told President Trump that, in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue. And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible."
" President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization," said the statement.
However, the statement confirmed that: " The Republic of Korea, the United States, and our partners stand together in insisting that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, and that the pressure will continue until North Korea matches its words with concrete actions."
2017 witnessed US President Donald Trump slamming North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as the Asian nation continued to conduct several of its missile tests, teasing world peace and tranquillity and often threatening to trigger a war.
Situation became far tensed when North Korea tested an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that the nation said was capable of striking US mainland.
The United Nations Security Council imposed strong new sanctions against the Asian nation after its Nov 29 launch of a nuclear-capable weapon.
Trump and North Korea continued to exchange barbs earlier this year too.
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