N. Korean leader expects 'excellent' results at summit with Trump

[EPA/Yonhap News Photo]

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un raised hopes that his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump would be a "historic" meeting for the excellent first step toward promoting the development of a positive situation on the Korean peninsula and build a good future.

Kim's positive comment came Thursday after he released three American citizens detained in the North in a conciliatory gesture that delighted Trump and set a friendly tone for their summit. The U.S. leader responded with an announcement that the date and venue of his summit with Kim have been set.

At talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang, Kim said the summit would be "a historic meeting for the excellent first step toward promotion of the positive situation development in the Korean peninsula and building of a good future", according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Pompeo conveyed Trump's verbal message and Kim highly appreciated the U.S. leader has shown "deep interest in settling the issue" through dialogue, KCNA said, adding Kim accepted Trump's request for the release of three Americans who had been detained in the North on charges of espionage or hostile acts against the regime.

Trump tweeted that Pompeo was bringing home the three who have been held for as long as two years and seven months. "Nobody thought this was going to happen," he said. Trump plans to greet them at Andrews Air Force Base.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Trump said the date and location of the summit would be announced within three days. He said the summit will lead to a "very successful" deal. "But as I always say, 'Who knows?' Who knows what's going to happen? But it's going to be a very important event."

"People never thought you were going to have a situation where we're having serious and positive communication with North Korea, and we are," Trump said. "What happens? Who knows. We have a chance at something really great for the world and great for North Korea, and great for everyone."

North Korea has used American detainees as leverage to win diplomatic concessions from Washington. In the latest case, U.S. nuclear envoy Joseph Yun visited Pyongyang to win the release of American college student Otto Warmbier, who was found in a coma and died shortly after returning home.

Lim Chang-won cwlim34@ajunews.com

N. Korean leader expects 'excellent' results at summit with Trump

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