President Donald Trump has agreed to an unprecedented meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to negotiate “denuclearization,” the New York Times reported Thursday.
A South Korean official, Chung Eui-yong, broke the news of the high stakes meeting, adding that it could take place before May.
The White House confirmed that Trump accepted North Korea’s invitation. A sitting U.S. president has never met with a North Korean leader.
“We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea,” said White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain.”
Trump tweeted Thursday that ahead of the meeting, there will “no missile testing by North Korea.”
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018
In October, Trump referred to Kim as “Little Rocket Man” and said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was “wasting his time” trying to negotiate with the North Korean leader.
…Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017
Being nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won't fail.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017
H/T New York Times