WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday a planned summit with Kim Jong Un may not take place next month as planned, despite his belief that the North Korean leader is “serious” about denuclearization.
“It may not work out for June 12,” Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore.
“If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later,” Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.
But Trump added that he does believe the North Korean leader is willing to give up nukes, amid fears about apparent North Korean backpedaling.
“I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious,” Trump said, again raising the prospect of a windfall for Kim if he mothballs weapons programs.
“He will be extremely happy” Trump said of Kim, if the deal works out. “He will be very happy.” President later added that he believed this could be due toa change in attitude after the North Korean leaderhad a second meeting with the Chinese premierXi Jinping.
