President Donald Trump has called off a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, sending him a letter Thursday stating the meeting was canceled "to the detriment of the world."
"This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history," Trump wrote.
The two leaders had been scheduled to meet in Singapore on June 12 to discuss North Korea's nuclear-weapons program after a remarkably fast warming of relations, but those relations have rapidly soured in recent weeks after belligerent rhetoric from Pyongyang. A high-ranking regime official recently called Vice President Mike Pence a "political dummy" and warned of a nuclear showdown after Pence said North Korea could face a similar fate to Libya if Kim does not make a deal.
Trump wrote Kim that he was "very much looking forward" to their meeting until the recent "tremendous anger and open hostility" displayed by North Korea.
"Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote. "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. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used."
Trump also thanked Kim in the letter for the "beautiful gesture" of releasing three American prisoners held by North Korea this month, calling it "very much appreciated."
Trump signaled the meeting's cancellation was a possibility during remarks alongside South Korean President Moon Jae In on Tuesday, saying there was a "very substantial chance" the summit would not work out. North Korea said it did not want to meet if it was going to be a "one-sided" affair where the regime would be pressured into giving up its nuclear program.
Trump previously said Kim would be "very happy" if he made a deal and promised North Korea security and prosperity in exchange for full denuclearization. He expressed regret in the letter over the summit not occurring as scheduled.
"I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you," Trump wrote.
He added that North Korea has lost a "great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth," and he said Kim should not hesitate to call or write if he changes his mind. The news comes on the heels of North Korea claiming to have destroyed its only known nuclear test site on Thursday.
Read the full text of Trump's letter below:
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussion relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you.
Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. 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. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used."
I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.
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.
Sincerely yours,
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America
Full text of Trump letter breaking of meeting with Kim
"Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting." pic.twitter.com/To6tJBuUZl
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) May 24, 2018