White House quashes second Trump-Kim meet rumours
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders on Thursday denied rumours of a second meeting between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The rumours started making the rounds after Trump, in a tweet, thanked Kim for "keeping his word" of sending back the remains of US servicemen from the Korean War. He also thanked Kim for the "nice letter" that he received on August 1, adding that he looked forward to seeing him soon.
"Thank you to Chairman Kim Jong Un for keeping your word & starting the process of sending home the remains of our great and beloved missing fallen! I am not at all surprised that you took this kind action. Also, thank you for your nice letter - l look forward to seeing you soon!"
Thank you to Chairman Kim Jong Un for keeping your word & starting the process of sending home the remains of our great and beloved missing fallen! I am not at all surprised that you took this kind action. Also, thank you for your nice letter - l look forward to seeing you soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2018
However, addressing the press in the White House, Sanders confirmed that Trump received the letter, but denied that there were no plans in place for another meeting.
"There is not a meeting that is locked in or finalized, certainly open to that discussion but there isn't a meeting planned," Sanders said.
She also confirmed that Trump has responded to Kim's letter, which will be delivered shortly.
"The letters addressed their commitment from their statement that was made at the Singapore summit and they are going to continue to work together towards completing total denuclearization," she added.
On Wednesday, US Vice President, Mike Pence welcomed the arrival of the remains of as many as 55 American servicemen from the Korean War at a ceremony Hawaii's Hickam Air Force base, which he attended along with his wife, Karen and two individuals who had lost their fathers during the Korean War.
The return of the US servicemen's remains was part of a deal that was agreed to by Trump and Kim back in their summit in June.
--ANI
First published: 3 August 2018, 12:50 IST