President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with Kim Jong-un setting the scene for what is being referred to as a historic encounter. The White House spokeswoman, Sarah Sanders, told the press that the president had accepted Kim Jong-un’s invitation to discuss denuclearization.
The meeting would be the first between a sitting US president and a North Korea leader. Details of the time and location are still to be determined, but according to South Korea's national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, the meeting will take place by May. Mr. Chung delivered the invitation to Trump after his team of delegates visited Pyongyang earlier this week.
Denuclearization
After a year of trading insults and threats to wipe each other out, Trump and Kim have made a remarkable step by agreeing to sit and talk. Though it’s too early to predict the outcome of the meeting, a sit-down between the two leaders brings North Korea close to its long-desired aim of international recognition and offers Trump a chance make his mark in US history by attaining diplomatic victory.
Trump did not waste time in accepting Kim's invitation; the president announced he would accept the invite just hours after learning the leaders offer. The meeting marks a significant change in Kim's approach. The North Korean Leader has over the years strived to show his country's military might by continually advancing his missile and nuclear programs.
What started off as diplomatic overtures during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea have now ended with the two influential leaders meeting face to face.
Chung praises Trump
On Thursday South Korean delegates met in Washington, D.C, for a debriefing on the North-South talks. Chung later praised Trump for his "leadership" and exerting pressure on North Korea, which he claims has set the grounds for diplomatic discussions.
In response to Chung's praises, the White House press secretary issued a statement saying Trump appreciates Chung's kind words and he agrees to meet with Kim. Later in the day, Trump tweeted that all sanctions will remain until a denuclearization deal is struck.
According to Chung, Kim has assured the people of South Korea that North Korea would refrain from conducting any missile or nuclear tests.
The North Korean leader has also said he is committed to denuclearization. Though many details of the meeting are yet to be discussed, US officials are praising the president and his delegates for brokering the meeting. However, Secretary of State Tillerson told reporters on Thursday that the US is a long way from negotiations with North Korea.
