Seoul: US President Donald Trump said that sanctions rem-ain on North Korea following his Sunday meeting with Kim Jong Un at the Korean Demilitarised Zone.
However, he appeared to be leaving open the possibility of scaling them back as part of upcoming renewed negotiations, saying that: “at some point during the negotiation, things can happen.”
Trump is also telling reporters after bidding Kim farewell that he raised the idea of a Kim visit to Washington during their talks.
Trump said he told Kim that, “at the right time, you’re going to come over” and that that could be “any time he wants to do it.”
Trump added that he “would certainly extend the invite” and that, “at some point” it will happen.
The US President said that the US and North Korea have designated teams to resume stalled nuclear talks between the nations within weeks.
He shared the news as he briefed reporters after spending about 50 minutes in talks behind closed doors with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said he hopes the sides can reach a comprehensive deal, but says that “speed is not the object.”
“We’re not looking for speed. We’re looking to get it right,” he said.
What was originally supposed to be a brief exchange of pleasantries between the duo at the raised line of concrete marking the border between North and South turned into private talks.
Trump had tweeted out his last-minute invitation to Kim, suggesting the North Korean leader meet him “at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!” during a long-scheduled visit.
Trump later said that if Kim made the trip, the two would “see each other for two minutes,” adding: “That’s all we can. But that will be fine.”
