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Reuters
WASHINGTON/SEOUL
US President Donald Trump on Friday dangled the possibility that a June 12 summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un could still take place, just a day after he cancelled the meeting citing Pyongyang's"open hostility."
Trump indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks.
"It was a very nice statement they put out,"Trump told reporters at the White House."We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th.
"We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it."
In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed"the urgent necessity"for the summit.
He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues"regardless of ways, at any time."
Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit.
"We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula'would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue,"he said.
Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were"still at work"and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on"if our diplomats can pull it off."
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was"just a political stunt."
"He wants to get something that's a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... we're certainly ready to have those conversations,"she said.
