Kim says Trump summit ‘historic’ chance to build ‘good future’ – KCNA

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un hailed a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump as a “historic” opportunity during talks with America’s top diplomat Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang, according to state media Thursday, May 10.

Kim, who is at the center of a whirlwind of diplomacy as the international community looks to curtail the North’s nuclear program, said his summit with Trump “would be a historic meeting” and an “excellent first step.”

He said it would help towards improving the situation on the Korean peninsula and the “building of a good future,” in comments published on North Korea’s official KCNA news agency.

It was the first time Kim is known to have acknowledged the planned meeting with Trump, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. (READ: Kim makes first official mention of U.S.-North Korea talks)

Pompeo was in the North to discuss arrangements for the high-stakes summit, expected within weeks, as well as to secure the release of 3 Americans detained in North Korea.

Kim said he had granted “amnesty” to the 3 men “who have been detained in the DPRK for their anti-DPRK hostilities,” according to KCNA.

The move is seen as a diplomatic victory for Washington and removes the last major obstacle to the summit between the Cold War foes. – Rappler.com