Despite Trump’s cancellation, N’Korea still open to talks with US over planned summit

North Korea has responded with a measured tone over the decision by President Donald Trump to cancel a proposed summit saying it is still open for talks with the USA.

According to North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, Pyongyang still hoped for a “Trump formula” to resolve the standoff over its nuclear weapons programme.

Friday’s response by North Korea was more conciliatory, specifically praising Trump’s efforts.

“We have inwardly highly appreciated President Trump for having made the bold decision, which any other U.S. presidents dared not, and made efforts for such a crucial event as the summit,” Kim said in a statement carried by state media.

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“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 without elaborating.

Trump had written a letter to Kim Jong-Un announcing his withdrawal from what would have been the first-ever meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader in Singapore on June 12.

“Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it would be inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting,” Trump wrote.

The development is coming after a North Korean official accused US Vice-President Mike Pence of being “stupid”.

That statement was made by Choe Son-hui in Pyongyang who warned of a possible “nuclear showdown” if diplomacy fails and also added that North Korea would not “beg the US for dialogue” nor try to persuade them to attend talks.

In an article carried by state news agency KCNA, she said Mr Pence had made “unbridled and impudent remarks” in the media in recent days, including his comments that North Korea “may end like Libya”.

 

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