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Trump cancels summit with DPRK scheduled for next month
  • | Xinhua,Reuters, Yonhap | May 25, 2018 05:39 AM
US President Donald Trump on May 24 sent a letter to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader, Kim Jong-un, saying that his planned meeting with Kim in Singapore on June 12 will not happen.

US President Donald Trump on May 24 calls off a planned historic summit with DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.


In the letter sent by the White House, Trump said that although he was very much looking forward to being in Singapore with Kim, it was "inappropriate" at this time to have this meeting "based on the tremendous anger and open hostility" displayed in the DPRK's most recent statements.


"Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place," Trump said.

However, Trump added that he still looks very much forward to meeting Kim "some day."

"Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you," he wrote. "If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history."

Trump still thanked Kim for releasing three American prisoners earlier this month, calling it a "beautiful gesture" that was very much appreciated.

Earlier on May 24, DPRK repeated a threat to pull out of the summit with Trump next month and warned it was prepared for a nuclear showdown with Washington if necessary.

* United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep disappointment on May 24 at the cancellation of the planned meeting next month between US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, announced earlier by the White House.

Guterres, in remarks delivered at the University of Geneva, said: "I am deeply concerned by the cancellation of the planned meeting in Singapore between the President of the United States and the leader of the DPRK."

He urged the parties to continue their dialogue so as to "find a path to the peaceful and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

* The Republic of Korea (RoK)'s presidential office said May 24 it is seeking to figure out the background of US President Donald Trump's abrupt cancellation of his agreed-upon summit with DPRK's leader Kim Jong-un.

RoK President Moon Jae-in called in security and diplomatic officials Thursday (May 24) night after US President Donald Trump's cancellation of the planned summit with the DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

* On the same day, DPRK has confirmed the demolition of its nuclear test site at Punggye-ri, saying that all the tunnels have been collapsed by explosions and their entrances completely closed, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The statement also said that it has been confirmed that there was neither leakage of radio-active materials nor any adverse impact on the surrounding ecological environment.

Complete closure of the area surrounding the nuclear test ground will come after a successive removal of all ground observation facilities, research institutes and structures of guard units, and withdrawal of staff concerned, it said.

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