President Donald Trump on Tuesday said North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's top official in charge of relations between North and South Korea, Kim Young-chol, is on his way to New York to discuss a possible summit.
"We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more," Trump tweeted. "Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!"
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1001410457092218880
Kim Yong-chol is the former head of the North Korea’s main intelligence agency, the General Reconnaissance Bureau, and he currently serves as the vice chairman of North Korea's Party Central Committee. The former spy chief has been sanctioned by both the U.S. and South Korea for his role in military provocations and his role in the development of nuclear weapons. The vice chairman was seen at the Beijing airport and was later confirmed by Trump to be on his way to the United States.
The Trump administration has pushed for North Korea to denuclearize, while promising security and prosperity in return. A historic summit was planned where the two leaders would meet and negotiate a deal. Kim Jong-Un seemed opened to the possibility of denuclearization until last week. North Korea began to disparage U.S. officials and denied it was willing to denuclearize in any deal.
In response, Trump sent a letter stating he was canceling the June 12 summit in Singapore. Trump cited belligerent rhetoric from a senior North Korean official as his reason for canceling, and he called the development a "missed opportunity" and a "truly sad moment in history."
Since the letter, North Korean appears to be open and receptive to a deal again. Trump said on Friday it was again possible for the summit between him and Kim Jong Un to occur on the planned June 12 date.