Seoul is monitoring developments in the North's military, it said&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;after reports Pyongyang replaced three of its top military officials ahead of a summit with the United States.

President Donald Trump is due to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in Singapore with Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal high on the agenda and reports said that the reshuffle could be aimed at taming the military.

Late last month the North's state media revealed that Kim Su Gil had been appointed as director of the military's powerful General Political Bureau (GPB), replacing Kim Jong Gak.

According to Yonhap news agency, which cited intelligence sources, the chief of the general staff Ri Myong Su has also been replaced by his deputy, Ri Yong Gil.

And defence minister Pak Yong Sik has been succeeded by No Kwang Chol, previously first vice minister, it added.

The wholesale reshuffle would be unusual if confirmed, Seoul's unification ministry said.

"We will monitor related developments," ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters.

Pyongyang's military, known as the Korean People's Army, is immensely influential in the North and a centre of power in its own right, symbolised by the way Kim is habitually flanked by generals on one side and civilians on the other when attending major ceremonial events.

According to researchers at NK Leadership Watch, the change at the top of the GPB "represents a continuation of tightening Party control over the KPA".

The political bureau could be in a position to resist policy decisions by the leadership or try to profit from future South Korean economic aid, it said.&nbsp;

But new GPB director Kim Su Gil was a "highly trusted" lieutenant of leader Kim Jong Un, it added, who appointed him to the Pyongyang party committee -- once a power base for his uncle Jang Song Thaek -- after having the older man executed for treason in 2013.

Reports said the wider changes could be aimed at preventing objections in the North's senior military ranks to any sudden changes in the country's nuclear policy.

No Kwang Chol, the new defence minister, was known as a "moderate", Yonhap cited the intelligence source as saying.

"The North appears to have brought in new figures... as the previous officials lacked flexibility in thinking," the source said.

President Donald Trump is due to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore

Seoul is monitoring developments in the North's military, it said Monday after reports Pyongyang replaced three of its top military officials ahead of a summit with the United States. President Donald Trump is due to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore with Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal high on the agenda and reports said that the reshuffle could be aimed at taming the military. Late last month the North's state media revealed that Kim Su Gil had been appointed as director of the military's powerful General Political Bureau (GPB), replacing Kim Jong Gak. According to Yonhap news agency, which cited intelligence sources, the chief of the general staff Ri Myong Su has also been replaced by his deputy, Ri Yong Gil. And defence minister Pak Yong Sik has been succeeded by No Kwang Chol, previously first vice minister, it added. The wholesale reshuffle would be unusual if confirmed, Seoul's unification ministry said. "We will monitor related developments," ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters. Pyongyang's military, known as the Korean People's Army, is immensely influential in the North and a centre of power in its own right, symbolised by the way Kim is habitually flanked by generals on one side and civilians on the other when attending major ceremonial events. According to researchers at NK Leadership Watch, the change at the top of the GPB "represents a continuation of tightening Party control over the KPA". The political bureau could be in a position to resist policy decisions by the leadership or try to profit from future South Korean economic aid, it said. But new GPB director Kim Su Gil was a "highly trusted" lieutenant of leader Kim Jong Un, it added, who appointed him to the Pyongyang party committee -- once a power base for his uncle Jang Song Thaek -- after having the older man executed for treason in 2013. Reports said the wider changes could be aimed at preventing objections in the North's senior military ranks to any sudden changes in the country's nuclear policy. No Kwang Chol, the new defence minister, was known as a "moderate", Yonhap cited the intelligence source as saying. "The North appears to have brought in new figures... as the previous officials lacked flexibility in thinking," the source said.

North Korea 'military reshuffle' raises eyebrows in Seoul

The first lady of the United States, Melania Trump will not attend the upcoming G7 summit in Quebec, Canada the White House said on Sunday.

According to the statement, she will also not attend the much-anticipated summit between Donald Trump and North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un in June.

“She will not attend the G7 and there are no plans for her to travel to Singapore at this time,” news agency Reuters quoted&nbspher spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, as saying.

Recently underwent a surgery, Melania Trump has not made any public appearance since May 10 when she welcomed three Americans home, who had been held prisoners in North Korea.

She was released from the hospital on May 19 after she underwent a surgical procedure related to a Kidney.

As the first lady has kept herself out of public meetings for several days there have been many speculations regarding Melania's absence.

In response to those speculations, she tweeted on May 30,

“I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I’m doing. Rest assured, I’m here at the @WhiteHouse with my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!” she wrote on Twitter.

She had attended the G7 summit held in Italy last year. This year's G7 meeting is scheduled to take place on June 8-9 while the Singapore summit between Trump and Kim Jong-un will take place on June 12.

&nbsp

Recently underwent a surgery, Melania Trump has not made any public appearance since May 10 when she welcomed three Americans home, who had been held prisoners in North Korea

The first lady of the United States, Melania Trump will not attend the upcoming G7 summit in Quebec, Canada the White House said on Sunday. According to the statement, she will also not attend the much-anticipated summit between Donald Trump and North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un in June. “She will not attend the G7 and there are no plans for her to travel to Singapore at this time,” news agency Reuters quoted&nbspher spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, as saying. Recently underwent a surgery, Melania Trump has not made any public appearance since May 10 when she welcomed three Americans home, who had been held prisoners in North Korea. She was released from the hospital on May 19 after she underwent a surgical procedure related to a Kidney. As the first lady has kept herself out of public meetings for several days there have been many speculations regarding Melania's absence. In response to those speculations, she tweeted on May 30, “I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I’m doing. Rest assured, I’m here at the @WhiteHouse with my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!” she wrote on Twitter. She had attended the G7 summit held in Italy last year. This year's G7 meeting is scheduled to take place on June 8-9 while the Singapore summit between Trump and Kim Jong-un will take place on June 12.

US first lady Melania Trump will not attend G7 and Singapore summit: White house

The US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, in a complete reversal, said on Friday he would hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore in the latest twist in the high-stakes diplomacy over eliminating Pyongyang's nuclear arms program.

Eight days after cancelling the unprecedented summit, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility," Trump welcomed North Korea's former intelligence chief, currently under punitive US&nbspsanctions, to the White House Oval Office, afterwards exchanging smiles and handshakes, patting his arm in a friendly gesture.

"Good meeting today. I think it's a great start," Trump said after conferring for about 90 minutes with Kim Yong Chol, who became the first North Korean official to visit the White House in 18 years and who the US&nbsppresident called "the second most powerful man in North Korea."

Trump said he expected an eventual "very positive result" with North Korea but dampened expectations for a breakthrough in Singapore.

"We`re not going to go in and sign something on June 12th, and we never were," Trump told reporters on the White House lawn. "We`re going to start a process. And I told them today, `Take your time, we can go fast, we can go slowly,` but I think they`d like to see something happen."

Trump said it could take several meetings to reach an agreement, but he was convinced that Kim Jong Un was committed to denuclearisation. "He`d like to see it happen," Trump said.

It was an extraordinary change in tone from a president who last year threatened to rain "fire and fury like the world has never seen" on North Korea because of the threat its nuclear weapons and missiles posed to the United States.&nbsp

Trump even backed away from the words "maximum pressure" that his administration had used to describe its approach to North Korea, combining the toughest-ever US&nbspand international economic sanctions with diplomatic actions and the Republican president`s military threats and preparations.

Getting along

"We`re getting along, so it`s not a question of maximum pressure," Trump said. "At some point, hopefully ... for the good of millions of people, a deal will be worked out."

Trump said one thing that could come out of the summit is an agreement formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War, which was concluded only with a truce, not a peace treaty.&nbsp

"We are going to discuss it prior to the meeting. That`s something that could come out of the meeting," Trump said when asked if a document ending the war was bring prepared.&nbsp

South Korea`s presidential office said on Saturday that the path to the North Korea-US&nbspsummit had become "broader and firmer," and it would calmly yet excitedly watch the historic meeting to be held in Singapore.&nbsp

The visiting North Korean official, linked by US&nbspintelligence to a high-profile cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014, delivered a letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump. A White House official said Trump had read the letter but did not reveal its contents.

Trump wants North Korea to "denuclearize," meaning to get rid of its nuclear arsenal, in return for relief from economic sanctions. But North Korea`s leadership is believed to regard nuclear weapons as crucial to its survival and has rejected unilaterally disarming.

A senior member of Trump`s Republican Party sounded a note of caution. Speaking in Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he expected the North Koreans to make "every effort they can to get sanctions and other relief and give up as little as possible."

"For these situations to work, you have to not want the deal too much," McConnell said. "You fall in love with the deal and it`s too important (to) you to get it, and the details become less significant, you could get snookered," McConnell said.

North Korea, whose nuclear ambitions have been a source of tension for decades, has made advances in missile technology in recent years but Trump has sworn not to allow it to develop nuclear missiles that could hit the United States.

Wall Street took news of the summit`s revival in stride.

While Trump sounded conciliatory toward North Korea, Kim used Cold War-style language about Washington during a televised encounter with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang on Thursday, referring to

"US&nbsphegemonism." Referring to the Lavrov meeting, Trump said he "didn`t like it."&nbsp

Totally over that

Trump abruptly called off the summit on May 24 after North Korea sharply criticized US Vice President Mike Pence and Trump`s national security adviser, John Bolton. "I think we`re over that, totally over that," Trump said on Friday.

While Trump has put great importance on sealing a nuclear deal with North Korea, and secured the return of three Americans detained there, he has bucked traditional US&nbspforeign policy and alienated America`s European and NATO allies and trading partners.

He snubbed France, Germany and Britain by pulling out of a nuclear agreement with Iran and upset the Europeans, as well as neighbors Canada and Mexico, with protectionist trade policies.

The North Korean envoy, Kim Yong Chol, was the highest-level figure from the reclusive country to hold talks at the White House since a senior envoy visited former President Bill Clinton in 2000. He is vice chairman of the ruling Workers` Party`s Central Committee.

Trump walked the envoy out of the Oval Office to the lawn, posing for photographs as his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, looked on.

Trump said North Korea's human rights record was not discussed at the meeting.

Kim Yong Chol once served as a bodyguard to the current leader`s father, Kim Jong Il, and was previously chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a North Korean military intelligence agency.

In 2015, then-US&nbspdirector of national intelligence James Clapper described Kim Yong Chol as "the guy who ultimately would have to okay the cyber attack against Sony" in 2014.

North Korean hackers allegedly infiltrated Sony`s systems and destroyed computers and laptops, apparently in retaliation for the entertainment company`s comedy movie "The Interview" that parodied North Korea`s leadership.

Kim Yong Chol has featured on lists of North Korean officials targeted by US&nbspTreasury sanctions, including for supporting his country`s nuclear and missiles programs and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the cyber attack. He was granted special permission to travel to the United States for meetings this week with US&nbspofficials, the State Department said.

He was accused by South Korea of masterminding deadly attacks on a South Korean navy ship and an island in 2010. North Korea denied any involvement in those incidents.&nbsp

Eight days after cancelling the unprecedented summit, citing Pyongyang's 'open hostility,' Trump welcomed North Korea's Kim Yong Chol, currently under punitive US sanctions, to the White House Oval Office

The US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, in a complete reversal, said on Friday he would hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore in the latest twist in the high-stakes diplomacy over eliminating Pyongyang's nuclear arms program. Eight days after cancelling the unprecedented summit, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility," Trump welcomed North Korea's former intelligence chief, currently under punitive US&nbspsanctions, to the White House Oval Office, afterwards exchanging smiles and handshakes, patting his arm in a friendly gesture. "Good meeting today. I think it's a great start," Trump said after conferring for about 90 minutes with Kim Yong Chol, who became the first North Korean official to visit the White House in 18 years and who the US&nbsppresident called "the second most powerful man in North Korea." Trump said he expected an eventual "very positive result" with North Korea but dampened expectations for a breakthrough in Singapore. "We`re not going to go in and sign something on June 12th, and we never were," Trump told reporters on the White House lawn. "We`re going to start a process. And I told them today, `Take your time, we can go fast, we can go slowly,` but I think they`d like to see something happen." Trump said it could take several meetings to reach an agreement, but he was convinced that Kim Jong Un was committed to denuclearisation. "He`d like to see it happen," Trump said. It was an extraordinary change in tone from a president who last year threatened to rain "fire and fury like the world has never seen" on North Korea because of the threat its nuclear weapons and missiles posed to the United States. Trump even backed away from the words "maximum pressure" that his administration had used to describe its approach to North Korea, combining the toughest-ever US&nbspand international economic sanctions with diplomatic actions and the Republican president`s military threats and preparations. Getting along "We`re getting along, so it`s not a question of maximum pressure," Trump said. "At some point, hopefully ... for the good of millions of people, a deal will be worked out." Trump said one thing that could come out of the summit is an agreement formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War, which was concluded only with a truce, not a peace treaty. "We are going to discuss it prior to the meeting. That`s something that could come out of the meeting," Trump said when asked if a document ending the war was bring prepared. South Korea`s presidential office said on Saturday that the path to the North Korea-US&nbspsummit had become "broader and firmer," and it would calmly yet excitedly watch the historic meeting to be held in Singapore. The visiting North Korean official, linked by US&nbspintelligence to a high-profile cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014, delivered a letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump. A White House official said Trump had read the letter but did not reveal its contents. Trump wants North Korea to "denuclearize," meaning to get rid of its nuclear arsenal, in return for relief from economic sanctions. But North Korea`s leadership is believed to regard nuclear weapons as crucial to its survival and has rejected unilaterally disarming. A senior member of Trump`s Republican Party sounded a note of caution. Speaking in Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he expected the North Koreans to make "every effort they can to get sanctions and other relief and give up as little as possible." "For these situations to work, you have to not want the deal too much," McConnell said. "You fall in love with the deal and it`s too important (to) you to get it, and the details become less significant, you could get snookered," McConnell said. North Korea, whose nuclear ambitions have been a source of tension for decades, has made advances in missile technology in recent years but Trump has sworn not to allow it to develop nuclear missiles that could hit the United States. Wall Street took news of the summit`s revival in stride. While Trump sounded conciliatory toward North Korea, Kim used Cold War-style language about Washington during a televised encounter with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang on Thursday, referring to "US&nbsphegemonism." Referring to the Lavrov meeting, Trump said he "didn`t like it." Totally over that Trump abruptly called off the summit on May 24 after North Korea sharply criticized US Vice President Mike Pence and Trump`s national security adviser, John Bolton. "I think we`re over that, totally over that," Trump said on Friday. While Trump has put great importance on sealing a nuclear deal with North Korea, and secured the return of three Americans detained there, he has bucked traditional US&nbspforeign policy and alienated America`s European and NATO allies and trading partners. He snubbed France, Germany and Britain by pulling out of a nuclear agreement with Iran and upset the Europeans, as well as neighbors Canada and Mexico, with protectionist trade policies. The North Korean envoy, Kim Yong Chol, was the highest-level figure from the reclusive country to hold talks at the White House since a senior envoy visited former President Bill Clinton in 2000. He is vice chairman of the ruling Workers` Party`s Central Committee. Trump walked the envoy out of the Oval Office to the lawn, posing for photographs as his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, looked on. Trump said North Korea's human rights record was not discussed at the meeting. Kim Yong Chol once served as a bodyguard to the current leader`s father, Kim Jong Il, and was previously chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a North Korean military intelligence agency. In 2015, then-US&nbspdirector of national intelligence James Clapper described Kim Yong Chol as "the guy who ultimately would have to okay the cyber attack against Sony" in 2014. North Korean hackers allegedly infiltrated Sony`s systems and destroyed computers and laptops, apparently in retaliation for the entertainment company`s comedy movie "The Interview" that parodied North Korea`s leadership. Kim Yong Chol has featured on lists of North Korean officials targeted by US&nbspTreasury sanctions, including for supporting his country`s nuclear and missiles programs and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the cyber attack. He was granted special permission to travel to the United States for meetings this week with US&nbspofficials, the State Department said. He was accused by South Korea of masterminding deadly attacks on a South Korean navy ship and an island in 2010. North Korea denied any involvement in those incidents.

In complete reversal, Trump revives summit with North Korean leader

Ahead of the possible summit between the United States and North Korea, former North Korea spy chief and senior official Kim Yong Chol headed to Washington reportedly for talks with US officials, news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday.

According to reports, he stopped over Beijing, China -- an ally of North Korea -- while he was heading to Washington.&nbsp

Kim Yong Chol has been closely involved with talks with South Korea as well and his visit to the United States would further indicate preparations for the historic summit is moving ahead.

Meanwhile on Sunday also, US and North Korean officials met at a border village to resume the preparations for the first summit.

He had called off the planned summit last week citing "open hostility", from the North.&nbsp

However, On Saturday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-moon-jae-in-may-attend-us-north-korea-summit-report-140328">Kim and Moon Jae-in held talks in a surprise meeting</a> at the Panmunjom border truce village to ensure a successful US-North Korea summit.

On Friday Trump informed that it is back on track and it would take place on an originally scheduled date and place.

&nbsp

According to reports, he stopped over Beijing, China -- an ally of North Korea -- while he was heading to Washington

Ahead of the possible summit between the United States and North Korea, former North Korea spy chief and senior official Kim Yong Chol headed to Washington reportedly for talks with US officials, news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday. According to reports, he stopped over Beijing, China -- an ally of North Korea -- while he was heading to Washington. Kim Yong Chol has been closely involved with talks with South Korea as well and his visit to the United States would further indicate preparations for the historic summit is moving ahead. Meanwhile on Sunday also, US and North Korean officials met at a border village to resume the preparations for the first summit. He had called off the planned summit last week citing "open hostility", from the North. However, On Saturday Kim and Moon Jae-in held talks in a surprise meeting at the Panmunjom border truce village to ensure a successful US-North Korea summit. On Friday Trump informed that it is back on track and it would take place on an originally scheduled date and place.

Former North Korea spy chief on his way to Washington for talks with US officials: Report

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Monday that it is "imperative" to completely dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program, the White House said.

The US and Japanese leaders will meet ahead of a much-anticipated summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un back on schedule for June 12 in Singapore just days after Trump announced he was cancelling it.&nbsp;

The American president said the summit could go ahead as planned following a more appealing statement from Pyongyang and productive talks with North Korean officials.

Japan, which has by far the hardest line compared to neighbours China and South Korea, has been left uneasy by the pace of events, and by what it sees as an unwarranted softening toward an untrustworthy Pyongyang.

Abe and Trump spoke by telephone a day after American and North Korean officials met at a border truce village to prepare for the summit.

During a telephone call, the pair "discussed recent developments in North Korea and confirmed they would meet again to continue close coordination in advance of the expected meeting between the United States and North Korea," a White House statement read.

"The president and prime minister affirmed the shared imperative of achieving the complete and permanent dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs."

Washington wants North Korea to quickly give up all its nuclear weapons in a verifiable way in return for sanctions and economic relief.&nbsp;

Pyongyang has a different view of denuclearization and remains deeply worried that abandoning its deterrent would leave the country -- and its leader -- vulnerable, especially while the United States maintains a robust military presence in South Korea.

The US and Japanese leaders will meet ahead of a much-anticipated summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un back on schedule for June 12 in Singapore

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Monday that it is "imperative" to completely dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program, the White House said. The US and Japanese leaders will meet ahead of a much-anticipated summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un back on schedule for June 12 in Singapore just days after Trump announced he was cancelling it. The American president said the summit could go ahead as planned following a more appealing statement from Pyongyang and productive talks with North Korean officials. Japan, which has by far the hardest line compared to neighbours China and South Korea, has been left uneasy by the pace of events, and by what it sees as an unwarranted softening toward an untrustworthy Pyongyang. Abe and Trump spoke by telephone a day after American and North Korean officials met at a border truce village to prepare for the summit. During a telephone call, the pair "discussed recent developments in North Korea and confirmed they would meet again to continue close coordination in advance of the expected meeting between the United States and North Korea," a White House statement read. "The president and prime minister affirmed the shared imperative of achieving the complete and permanent dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs." Washington wants North Korea to quickly give up all its nuclear weapons in a verifiable way in return for sanctions and economic relief. Pyongyang has a different view of denuclearization and remains deeply worried that abandoning its deterrent would leave the country -- and its leader -- vulnerable, especially while the United States maintains a robust military presence in South Korea.

Trump, Abe say 'imperative' to dismantle North Korean weapons

Events around the Korean peninsula have been moving at a dizzying pace over the last few days, with a summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un that was on, then off, then apparently on again.

Here's where we stand with what could be a historic meeting.

A few months ago Kim and Trump were hurling insults and threats of war with each other.

The rhetoric began to cool during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and by mid-March, the two sides had agreed to a face-to-face.

After some back-and-forth,&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in Singapore was fixed on, but as May ticked over both sides began casting doubt on the meeting.

The insults started up again, with North Korea calling US Vice President Mike Pence a "dummy", and both sides threatening to walk away.

Trump abruptly pulled the plug last week, only to apparently reverse course&nbsp;24 hours later&nbsp;in the wake of Pyongyang's emollient response.

Some say Trump's sudden willingness to walk rattled Pyongyang, which has since dialled down its rhetoric and expressed a willingness to talk "at any time".

"Trump's unexpected response totally took Kim by surprise and left the North scrambling to find a way to mend things," Cho Sung-ryul, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, told AFP.&nbsp;

Others say the crisis was primarily averted by Kim and South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in, who made the extraordinary decision to meet in the Panmunjom truce village between the two Koreas.

The State Department says a team of US officials also met with North Koreans in Panmunjom&nbsp;on Sunday.

The Washington Post reported that senior diplomat Sung Kim was leading the US delegation and that the two sides planned to continue talking&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tuesday.

The White House said on the weekend that a separate team of officials was also on its way to Singapore to lay the ground for the meeting.

Few American officials have more experience of dealing with North Koreans than Sung Kim.

The Korean-born diplomat previously served as Washington's ambassador in Seoul and was a special envoy during ultimately fruitless Six-Party Talks in the mid-2000s.

He is currently Washington's envoy to the Philippines but has been called back to his old stomping ground -- Trump has yet to nominate an ambassador to Seoul.

Given the twists and turns, and the mercurial nature of the parties involved, few Korea watchers are prepared to say with any certainty. But most observers are confident the process is back on track -- for now.

In the last 48 hours, Trump has sounded upbeat, saying the&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;meeting will still go ahead, or that it could happen at a later date if more time is needed.

Usually, this kind of summits are planned months, sometimes years in advance.

Now officials have only a fortnight left to finalise thorny protocol details such as where in Singapore the talks will take place and how internationally sanctioned North Korean officials will travel there.

Importantly, they'll also have to decide what exactly the two men are going to talk about.

In a word, denuclearisation.

Both sides say they want it, but there is a yawning gulf between their definitions.

Washington says it wants to see the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID) of North Korea in return for sanctions and economic relief.

Trump wants to see CVID take place immediately -- although he has recently conceded a phased approach could be discussed.

Moon says Kim is also committed to the "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

But when asked if that meant the same as CVID, he told reporters that was something for Pyongyang and Washington to discuss.

Analysts believe North Korea will be unwilling to cede its nuclear deterrent unless it is given security guarantees that the US won't try to topple the regime.

That may mean they will look for confidence-building measures such as a reduction in US troops in South Korea or joint military drills.

Kim Sung-han, professor of international relations at Korea University, said Trump will have difficulty accepting any conditions from North Korea, partly because he had been so critical of the Iran nuclear deal.&nbsp;

"If he believes that it would be hard to include CVID or any specific terms to mandate the North to carry out nuclear disarmament quickly, he may cancel the summit again, even days before the event," he said.

After some back-and-forth, June 12 in Singapore was fixed on, but as May ticked over both sides began casting doubt on the meeting

Events around the Korean peninsula have been moving at a dizzying pace over the last few days, with a summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un that was on, then off, then apparently on again. Here's where we stand with what could be a historic meeting. A few months ago Kim and Trump were hurling insults and threats of war with each other. The rhetoric began to cool during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and by mid-March, the two sides had agreed to a face-to-face. After some back-and-forth, June 12 in Singapore was fixed on, but as May ticked over both sides began casting doubt on the meeting. The insults started up again, with North Korea calling US Vice President Mike Pence a "dummy", and both sides threatening to walk away. Trump abruptly pulled the plug last week, only to apparently reverse course 24 hours later in the wake of Pyongyang's emollient response. Some say Trump's sudden willingness to walk rattled Pyongyang, which has since dialled down its rhetoric and expressed a willingness to talk "at any time". "Trump's unexpected response totally took Kim by surprise and left the North scrambling to find a way to mend things," Cho Sung-ryul, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, told AFP. Others say the crisis was primarily averted by Kim and South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in, who made the extraordinary decision to meet in the Panmunjom truce village between the two Koreas. The State Department says a team of US officials also met with North Koreans in Panmunjom on Sunday. The Washington Post reported that senior diplomat Sung Kim was leading the US delegation and that the two sides planned to continue talking Monday and Tuesday. The White House said on the weekend that a separate team of officials was also on its way to Singapore to lay the ground for the meeting. Few American officials have more experience of dealing with North Koreans than Sung Kim. The Korean-born diplomat previously served as Washington's ambassador in Seoul and was a special envoy during ultimately fruitless Six-Party Talks in the mid-2000s. He is currently Washington's envoy to the Philippines but has been called back to his old stomping ground -- Trump has yet to nominate an ambassador to Seoul. Given the twists and turns, and the mercurial nature of the parties involved, few Korea watchers are prepared to say with any certainty. But most observers are confident the process is back on track -- for now. In the last 48 hours, Trump has sounded upbeat, saying the June 12 meeting will still go ahead, or that it could happen at a later date if more time is needed. Usually, this kind of summits are planned months, sometimes years in advance. Now officials have only a fortnight left to finalise thorny protocol details such as where in Singapore the talks will take place and how internationally sanctioned North Korean officials will travel there. Importantly, they'll also have to decide what exactly the two men are going to talk about. In a word, denuclearisation. Both sides say they want it, but there is a yawning gulf between their definitions. Washington says it wants to see the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID) of North Korea in return for sanctions and economic relief. Trump wants to see CVID take place immediately -- although he has recently conceded a phased approach could be discussed. Moon says Kim is also committed to the "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. But when asked if that meant the same as CVID, he told reporters that was something for Pyongyang and Washington to discuss. Analysts believe North Korea will be unwilling to cede its nuclear deterrent unless it is given security guarantees that the US won't try to topple the regime. That may mean they will look for confidence-building measures such as a reduction in US troops in South Korea or joint military drills. Kim Sung-han, professor of international relations at Korea University, said Trump will have difficulty accepting any conditions from North Korea, partly because he had been so critical of the Iran nuclear deal. "If he believes that it would be hard to include CVID or any specific terms to mandate the North to carry out nuclear disarmament quickly, he may cancel the summit again, even days before the event," he said.

Diplomatic duels: What now for the Trump-Kim summit?

Already been playing the role of mediator between the US and North Korea, South Korean president Moon Jae-in could be present in high-drama summit between the US and North Korea in June media reports said.

According to a report by BBC, South Korean officials have said that South Korean president could attend the summit. However, his attendance would depend on the progress of pre-summit talks between the US and North Korean leaders.

Meanwhile, US and North Korean officials met on Sunday at a border truce village to resume the preparations for the first ever face to face summit between US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

He had called off the planned summit last week citing "open hostility", from the North.&nbsp

However, On Saturday Kim and Moon Jae-in held talks in a surprise meeting at the Panmunjom border truce village to ensure a successful US-North Korea summit.

On Friday Trump informed that it is back on track and it would take place on an originally scheduled date and place.

Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang.

President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's U-turn "shocking and very regrettable".

(With inputs from news agencies)

 
&nbsp

However, his attendance would depend on the progress of pre-summit talks between the US and North Korean leaders

Already been playing the role of mediator between the US and North Korea, South Korean president Moon Jae-in could be present in high-drama summit between the US and North Korea in June media reports said. According to a report by BBC, South Korean officials have said that South Korean president could attend the summit. However, his attendance would depend on the progress of pre-summit talks between the US and North Korean leaders. Meanwhile, US and North Korean officials met on Sunday at a border truce village to resume the preparations for the first ever face to face summit between US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He had called off the planned summit last week citing "open hostility", from the North. However, On Saturday Kim and Moon Jae-in held talks in a surprise meeting at the Panmunjom border truce village to ensure a successful US-North Korea summit. On Friday Trump informed that it is back on track and it would take place on an originally scheduled date and place. Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang. President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's U-turn "shocking and very regrettable". (With inputs from news agencies)

South Korean president Moon Jae-in may attend US-North Korea summit: Report

US and North Korean officials met Sunday at a border truce village as preparations resumed for a high-stakes, high-drama summit that President Donald Trump said held "brilliant potential" for the North.

"I truly believe North Korea has brilliant potential and will be a great economic and financial Nation one day," Trump said on Twitter.&nbsp

"Kim Jong Un agrees with me on this. It will happen!," the president said, confirming that a US team "has arrived in North Korea to make arrangements for the summit" between himself and North Korean leader Kim.

His upbeat language contrasted sharply to that of only three days earlier, when Trump canceled the planned summit, citing "open hostility" from the North. An extraordinary flurry of diplomacy since then -- much of it led by South Korea -- appears to have put the meeting back on track.

Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Saturday at the Panmunjom border truce village, in a surprise bid to salvage the June 12 summit planned for Singapore.

Announcing the lower-level talks held Sunday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, "We continue to prepare for a meeting between the President and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un."&nbsp

The Washington Post reported that the US delegation to the Panmunjom meeting -- in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea -- was led by Sung Kim, a former US ambassador to South Korea and former nuclear negotiator with the North. It said the Americans met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.

The United States currently has no ambassador to South Korea, even as it takes up one of the most delicate diplomatic challenges in years.

It remains far from clear how Trump and Kim might be able to bridge what appear to be vast differences in their expectations for what would be a historic meeting. But analysts on Sunday expressed increasing confidence that it will take place. &nbsp

Days of brinkmanship

The apparent progress in the on-again-off-again talks followed a tense and turbulent few days of diplomatic brinkmanship.

Within 24 hours of cancelling the summit Trump reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials.

"It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House on Saturday. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. That hasn't changed."

Trump's abrupt decision to pull out of the historic get-together had blindsided South Korea and Moon, who had been brokering a remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang in a bid to avoid a devastating conflict.

But Trump accompanied the cancellation with a letter to Kim that mixed tough language with an almost beseeching plea to get things back on track. Some critics mocked the letter's tone, but it may have achieved the desired result.

Kim 'met his match'

James Clapper, director of US national intelligence under former president Barack Obama, told CNN: "I support the letter that President Trump sent... In some ways, Kim Jong Un may have met his match here with our very unconventional president."&nbsp

Victor Cha, who was President George W. Bush's top advisor on North Korea and was briefly expected to get Trump's nod as ambassador to South Korea, said Sunday he was now confident the summit will take place.

"The summit's going forward" despite the unusually rushed pace of diplomacy and series of turnabouts.

The Moon and Trump administrations very much want the meeting, he said, "and Kim says he wants a summit, so it's going to happen."

There are still stark differences between what the two sides hope to achieve.

Washington wants North Korea to quickly give up all its nuclear weapons in a verifiable way in return for sanctions and economic relief.&nbsp

Pyongyang has a different view of denuclearization and remains deeply worried that abandoning its deterrent would leave the country -- and its leader -- vulnerable, especially while the United States maintains a robust military presence in South Korea.

Kim "has almost an emotional attachment and a personal psychological attachment to these nuclear weapons," US Senator Marco Rubio said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "They make him feel prestigious, they make him feel powerful."

Rubio said he was extremely skeptical that Kim might actually give up his nuclear arsenal.&nbsp

If Trump is unable to negotiate those weapons away and unwilling to live in a world where North Korea poses a nuclear threat, then "you're going to have to do something to go after them at some point," the senator said.

"It's not something that I relish or take lightly," Rubio said.

US and North Korean officials met Sunday at a border truce village as preparations resumed for a high-stakes, high-drama summit that President Donald Trump said held 'brilliant potential' for the North

US and North Korean officials met Sunday at a border truce village as preparations resumed for a high-stakes, high-drama summit that President Donald Trump said held "brilliant potential" for the North. "I truly believe North Korea has brilliant potential and will be a great economic and financial Nation one day," Trump said on Twitter. "Kim Jong Un agrees with me on this. It will happen!," the president said, confirming that a US team "has arrived in North Korea to make arrangements for the summit" between himself and North Korean leader Kim. His upbeat language contrasted sharply to that of only three days earlier, when Trump canceled the planned summit, citing "open hostility" from the North. An extraordinary flurry of diplomacy since then -- much of it led by South Korea -- appears to have put the meeting back on track. Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Saturday at the Panmunjom border truce village, in a surprise bid to salvage the June 12 summit planned for Singapore. Announcing the lower-level talks held Sunday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, "We continue to prepare for a meeting between the President and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un." The Washington Post reported that the US delegation to the Panmunjom meeting -- in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea -- was led by Sung Kim, a former US ambassador to South Korea and former nuclear negotiator with the North. It said the Americans met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. The United States currently has no ambassador to South Korea, even as it takes up one of the most delicate diplomatic challenges in years. It remains far from clear how Trump and Kim might be able to bridge what appear to be vast differences in their expectations for what would be a historic meeting. But analysts on Sunday expressed increasing confidence that it will take place. Days of brinkmanship The apparent progress in the on-again-off-again talks followed a tense and turbulent few days of diplomatic brinkmanship. Within 24 hours of cancelling the summit Trump reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials. "It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House on Saturday. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. That hasn't changed." Trump's abrupt decision to pull out of the historic get-together had blindsided South Korea and Moon, who had been brokering a remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang in a bid to avoid a devastating conflict. But Trump accompanied the cancellation with a letter to Kim that mixed tough language with an almost beseeching plea to get things back on track. Some critics mocked the letter's tone, but it may have achieved the desired result. Kim 'met his match' James Clapper, director of US national intelligence under former president Barack Obama, told CNN: "I support the letter that President Trump sent... In some ways, Kim Jong Un may have met his match here with our very unconventional president." Victor Cha, who was President George W. Bush's top advisor on North Korea and was briefly expected to get Trump's nod as ambassador to South Korea, said Sunday he was now confident the summit will take place. "The summit's going forward" despite the unusually rushed pace of diplomacy and series of turnabouts. The Moon and Trump administrations very much want the meeting, he said, "and Kim says he wants a summit, so it's going to happen." There are still stark differences between what the two sides hope to achieve. Washington wants North Korea to quickly give up all its nuclear weapons in a verifiable way in return for sanctions and economic relief. Pyongyang has a different view of denuclearization and remains deeply worried that abandoning its deterrent would leave the country -- and its leader -- vulnerable, especially while the United States maintains a robust military presence in South Korea. Kim "has almost an emotional attachment and a personal psychological attachment to these nuclear weapons," US Senator Marco Rubio said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "They make him feel prestigious, they make him feel powerful." Rubio said he was extremely skeptical that Kim might actually give up his nuclear arsenal. If Trump is unable to negotiate those weapons away and unwilling to live in a world where North Korea poses a nuclear threat, then "you're going to have to do something to go after them at some point," the senator said. "It's not something that I relish or take lightly," Rubio said.

Trump sees 'brilliant potential' for North Korea as summit prep continues

Plans for a landmark summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un are moving "very nicely", US President Donald Trump said Sunday, as the South's leader said Kim told him the talks would be a historic opportunity to end decades of confrontation.

The latest conciliatory declarations capped a turbulent few days of diplomatic brinkmanship on the Korean Peninsula that had sent tensions soaring.

Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling a planned June 12 meeting with Kim in Singapore, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.

But within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials.

"It's moving along very nicely," Trump told reporters late Saturday when asked for an update. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. That hasn't changed."

Trump's unpredictability sparked a sudden and surprise meeting on Saturday between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in -- only the fourth time leaders from the two countries have ever met -- as they scrambled to get the talks back on track.

Pictures showed them shaking hands and embracing on the North Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone separating the two nations.

Moon said Kim reached out to him to arrange the hasty meeting "without any formality". There the North Korean leader described the Singapore summit as a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation.

"He... expressed his intention to put an end to the history of war and confrontation through the success of the North-US summit and to cooperate for peace and prosperity," Moon told reporters in Seoul on Sunday.

Pyongyang's state-run KCNA news agency said Kim "expressed his fixed will on the historic DPRK-US summit talks", using the official abbreviation for North Korea.

Kim said the two Koreas should "positively cooperate with each other as ever to improve the DPRK-US&nbsprelations and establish mechanism for permanent and durable peace," KCNA added, saying South and North Korea would hold another round of "high-level" talks on June 1.

Shaky detente

Trump's original decision to abandon the historic summit initially blindsided South Korea, which had been brokering a remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang and is desperate to avoid conflict breaking out.

However, there was a further signal of progress Saturday as White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed a team of US officials was leaving for Singapore "in order to prepare should the summit take place".

Last year, Trump and Kim were trading war threats and insults after Pyongyang tested its most powerful nuclear weapon to date and missiles it said were capable of reaching the US mainland.

Tensions were calmed after Kim extended an olive branch by offering to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, sparking a rapid detente that led to Trump agreeing to hold direct talks with Pyongyang.

Moon won the election last year partly by vowing to be open to dialogue with the North and finding a solution to a Cold War-era sore that continues to blight the region.

The flurry of diplomatic backslapping and bonhomie disappeared in recent weeks as the summit was thrown into doubt by increasingly bellicose rhetoric from both top US administration officials and Pyongyang.

There are still stark differences between what the two sides hope to achieve.

Washington wants North Korea to give up all its nukes in a verifiable way as quickly as possible in return for sanctions and economic relief.

Pyongyang has a different view of what denuclearisation might look like and remains deeply worried that abandoning that deterrent would leave the country vulnerable to regime change.

"Kim stressed again that he had a firm determination towards complete denuclearisation," Moon told reporters Sunday.

"The thing he was uncertain about was not denuclearisation but concerns on whether he could trust that the US would end its hostile policy and guarantee the security of his regime when the North denuclearises itself."

Back on track

Saturday's meeting between Moon and Kim took place on the North Korean side of Panmunjom, a heavily fortified village that lies between the two countries where the 1953 armistice was signed.

Only last month, the two leaders met in the same village, with Kim famously inviting Moon to step briefly into the North before they both held talks in a building on the South's side.

Kim Yong-hyun, professor of North Korea studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, said Moon and Kim moved quickly to defuse the crisis after Trump's shock cancellation.

"Moon essentially helped relay messages from Trump to Kim and vice versa, to further smooth the process and to resume negotiations," he told AFP, saying the Singapore meeting was "clearly back on track".

Unlike last month's summit, which was held in front of live TV cameras, Saturday's meeting took place in utmost secrecy, with reporters only told later that the face-to-face had taken place.

Footage released by the Blue House on Twitter, accompanied by a dramatic orchestral score, showed Moon arriving in a convoy of cars and first shaking hands with Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong, who has played a major public role in recent talks with the South.

Plans for a landmark summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un are moving 'very nicely', US President Donald Trump said Sunday

Plans for a landmark summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un are moving "very nicely", US President Donald Trump said Sunday, as the South's leader said Kim told him the talks would be a historic opportunity to end decades of confrontation. The latest conciliatory declarations capped a turbulent few days of diplomatic brinkmanship on the Korean Peninsula that had sent tensions soaring. Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling a planned June 12 meeting with Kim in Singapore, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang. But within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials. "It's moving along very nicely," Trump told reporters late Saturday when asked for an update. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. That hasn't changed." Trump's unpredictability sparked a sudden and surprise meeting on Saturday between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in -- only the fourth time leaders from the two countries have ever met -- as they scrambled to get the talks back on track. Pictures showed them shaking hands and embracing on the North Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone separating the two nations. Moon said Kim reached out to him to arrange the hasty meeting "without any formality". There the North Korean leader described the Singapore summit as a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation. "He... expressed his intention to put an end to the history of war and confrontation through the success of the North-US summit and to cooperate for peace and prosperity," Moon told reporters in Seoul on Sunday. Pyongyang's state-run KCNA news agency said Kim "expressed his fixed will on the historic DPRK-US summit talks", using the official abbreviation for North Korea. Kim said the two Koreas should "positively cooperate with each other as ever to improve the DPRK-US&nbsprelations and establish mechanism for permanent and durable peace," KCNA added, saying South and North Korea would hold another round of "high-level" talks on June 1. Shaky detente Trump's original decision to abandon the historic summit initially blindsided South Korea, which had been brokering a remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang and is desperate to avoid conflict breaking out. However, there was a further signal of progress Saturday as White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed a team of US officials was leaving for Singapore "in order to prepare should the summit take place". Last year, Trump and Kim were trading war threats and insults after Pyongyang tested its most powerful nuclear weapon to date and missiles it said were capable of reaching the US mainland. Tensions were calmed after Kim extended an olive branch by offering to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, sparking a rapid detente that led to Trump agreeing to hold direct talks with Pyongyang. Moon won the election last year partly by vowing to be open to dialogue with the North and finding a solution to a Cold War-era sore that continues to blight the region. The flurry of diplomatic backslapping and bonhomie disappeared in recent weeks as the summit was thrown into doubt by increasingly bellicose rhetoric from both top US administration officials and Pyongyang. There are still stark differences between what the two sides hope to achieve. Washington wants North Korea to give up all its nukes in a verifiable way as quickly as possible in return for sanctions and economic relief. Pyongyang has a different view of what denuclearisation might look like and remains deeply worried that abandoning that deterrent would leave the country vulnerable to regime change. "Kim stressed again that he had a firm determination towards complete denuclearisation," Moon told reporters Sunday. "The thing he was uncertain about was not denuclearisation but concerns on whether he could trust that the US would end its hostile policy and guarantee the security of his regime when the North denuclearises itself." Back on track Saturday's meeting between Moon and Kim took place on the North Korean side of Panmunjom, a heavily fortified village that lies between the two countries where the 1953 armistice was signed. Only last month, the two leaders met in the same village, with Kim famously inviting Moon to step briefly into the North before they both held talks in a building on the South's side. Kim Yong-hyun, professor of North Korea studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, said Moon and Kim moved quickly to defuse the crisis after Trump's shock cancellation. "Moon essentially helped relay messages from Trump to Kim and vice versa, to further smooth the process and to resume negotiations," he told AFP, saying the Singapore meeting was "clearly back on track". Unlike last month's summit, which was held in front of live TV cameras, Saturday's meeting took place in utmost secrecy, with reporters only told later that the face-to-face had taken place. Footage released by the Blue House on Twitter, accompanied by a dramatic orchestral score, showed Moon arriving in a convoy of cars and first shaking hands with Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong, who has played a major public role in recent talks with the South.

Trump and Kim raise summit hopes after days of brinkmanship

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-hopes-trump-summit-will-end-history-of-confrontation-south-korea-president-moon-140054">Kim Jong Un hopes Trump summit will 'end </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-hopes-trump-summit-will-end-history-of-confrontation-south-korea-president-moon-140054">history</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-hopes-trump-summit-will-end-history-of-confrontation-south-korea-president-moon-140054"> of confrontation': South Korea president</a>

Kim Jong Un believes a summit with US President Donald Trump will be a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Sunday following his surprise meeting with the North Korean leader.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-super-bale-sinks-liverpool-as-madrid-make-it-three-in-a-row-140046">Champions League: Super Bale sinks Liverpool as Madrid make it three in a row</a>

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick and a long distance strike to give them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday (May 26), delivering a remarkable third consecutive title for the Spaniards.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-one-of-the-most-vulnerable-to-cyber-attacks--data-theft-third-behind-canada-us-140050">India one of the most vulnerable to cyber attacks & data theft third behind Canada, US</a>

Phishing and malware-based attacks are the most prolific online fraud tactics globally and India is one of the top three target countries for such attacks, says a report.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-still-sees-june-12-singapore-summit-with-kim-140048">Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-announces-general-elections-on-july-25-140056">Pakistan announces general elections on July 25</a>

Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country.

&nbsp

Kim Jong Un hopes Trump summit will 'end history of confrontation': South Korea president Kim Jong Un believes a summit with US President Donald Trump will be a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Sunday following his surprise meeting with the North Korean leader. Champions League: Super Bale sinks Liverpool as Madrid make it three in a row Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick and a long distance strike to give them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday (May 26), delivering a remarkable third consecutive title for the Spaniards. India one of the most vulnerable to cyber attacks & data theft third behind Canada, US Phishing and malware-based attacks are the most prolific online fraud tactics globally and India is one of the top three target countries for such attacks, says a report. Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pakistan announces general elections on July 25 Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Kim Jong Un believes a summit with US President Donald Trump will be a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Sunday following his<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/korean-leaders-vow-to-meet-frequently-in-the-future-report-140040"> surprise meeting with the North Korean leader</a>.

"He (Kim) also expressed his intention to put an end to the history of war and confrontation through the success of the North-US summit and to cooperate for peace and prosperity," Moon told reporters, adding both he and Kim agreed to meet or talk in person "if necessary".

Moon and Kim held a surprise summit in the Demilitarised Zone separating their two nations on Saturday in a scramble to save a slated June 12 summit between North Korea and the United States in the city-state of Singapore.

Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his meeting with Kim, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.

But within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials.

During his two hour meeting with Kim, Moon said he urged both Washington and Pyongyang "to remove misunderstandings through direct communication and to have sufficient dialogue in advance through working-level negotiations on the agendas to be agreed upon at the summit".

"Chairman Kim agreed on that," he added.

Moon said the Pyongyang regime reaffirmed its commitment to give up its nuclear weapons but had its own security concerns if it took that step.

"Kim stressed again that he had a firm determination towards complete denuclearisation," the South Korean president added.

"The thing he was uncertain about was not denuclearisation but concerns on whether he could trust that the US would end its hostile policy and guarantee the security of his regime when the North denuclearises itself."

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-still-sees-june-12-singapore-summit-with-kim-140048">Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump</a>

Moon and Kim held a surprise summit in the Demilitarised Zone separating their two nations on Saturday in a scramble to save a slated June 12 summit.

Kim Jong Un believes a summit with US President Donald Trump will be a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Sunday following his surprise meeting with the North Korean leader. "He (Kim) also expressed his intention to put an end to the history of war and confrontation through the success of the North-US summit and to cooperate for peace and prosperity," Moon told reporters, adding both he and Kim agreed to meet or talk in person "if necessary". Moon and Kim held a surprise summit in the Demilitarised Zone separating their two nations on Saturday in a scramble to save a slated June 12 summit between North Korea and the United States in the city-state of Singapore. Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his meeting with Kim, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang. But within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials. During his two hour meeting with Kim, Moon said he urged both Washington and Pyongyang "to remove misunderstandings through direct communication and to have sufficient dialogue in advance through working-level negotiations on the agendas to be agreed upon at the summit". "Chairman Kim agreed on that," he added. Moon said the Pyongyang regime reaffirmed its commitment to give up its nuclear weapons but had its own security concerns if it took that step. "Kim stressed again that he had a firm determination towards complete denuclearisation," the South Korean president added. "The thing he was uncertain about was not denuclearisation but concerns on whether he could trust that the US would end its hostile policy and guarantee the security of his regime when the North denuclearises itself." Also read: Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump

Kim Jong Un hopes Trump summit will 'end history of confrontation': South Korea president

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House during a meeting with a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/american-wife-freed-from-venezuela-jail-arrive-in-us-senator-140044"> US prisoner freed by Venezuela</a>.

"We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. It hasn't changed.

Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his June 12 meeting with Kim in the Southeast Asian city-state, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.

But within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials.

"There are meetings going on as we speak," Trump said. "I think there's a lot of goodwill."

His comments came after North Korea said Kim was "fixed" on holding the summit with Trump, raising hopes the historic meeting might still take place after a turbulent few days of diplomatic brinkmanship.

The latest conciliatory declaration from Pyongyang came as the White House confirmed it was sending a team to Singapore to prepare for the talks -- a further signal that both sides were moving to cool tensions following a rollercoaster few days on the Korean Peninsula.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-met-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-saturday-seoul-139956">South Korean president met North Korea's Kim Jong-un Saturday</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/korean-leaders-vow-to-meet-frequently-in-the-future-report-140040">Korean leaders vow to 'meet frequently in the future': Report</a>

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving 'very nicely' towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House during a meeting with a US prisoner freed by Venezuela. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. It hasn't changed. Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his June 12 meeting with Kim in the Southeast Asian city-state, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang. But within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could still go ahead after productive talks were held with North Korean officials. "There are meetings going on as we speak," Trump said. "I think there's a lot of goodwill." His comments came after North Korea said Kim was "fixed" on holding the summit with Trump, raising hopes the historic meeting might still take place after a turbulent few days of diplomatic brinkmanship. The latest conciliatory declaration from Pyongyang came as the White House confirmed it was sending a team to Singapore to prepare for the talks -- a further signal that both sides were moving to cool tensions following a rollercoaster few days on the Korean Peninsula. Also read: South Korean president met North Korea's Kim Jong-un Saturday Also read: Korean leaders vow to 'meet frequently in the future': Report

Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump

US&nbspstocks dropped on Thursday, but were well off the session lows hit after President Donald Trump cancelled a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un and threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports.

Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility,", even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site.

The market, already lower due to a slide in oil prices and worries over Trump ordering a national security investigation into car and truck imports, dropped sharply after the meeting was called off.

The autos probe, ordered on Wednesday, could lead to new tariffs and China called the move an "abuse" of the national security clauses and said it would defend its interests.

Market participants said the drop after the summit was cancelled was a knee-jerk reaction.&nbsp

"Really not sure why people are looking at it so negatively, except when world politics is unstable, investors` knee-jerk reaction is to sell first and ask questions later," said Rick Meckler, partner, Cherry Lane Investments, a

family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey.

"The bigger news has really been the proposed tariffs on foreign cars, the administration provides so much potential change everyday, that it's difficult for investors to see consistency to the economic future."

At 13:24 pm&nbspET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 64.85 points, or 0.26 per cent, at 24,821.96, the S&P 500 was down 4.23 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 2,729.06 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.98 points, or 0.03 per cent, at 7,427.94.

Earlier in the session the blue chip Dow fell as much as 1.1 per cent to touch a two-week low.

Defense stocks jumped after Trump called off the North Korea meeting and warned that the US&nbspmilitary was ready in the event of any reckless acts by North Korea.

Seven of the 11 major S&P sectors were in the red, with financials dropping 0.67 per cent.

The big banks were trading lower as the minutes from the Federal Reserve`s latest meeting tempered expectations of faster interest rate hikes.

The energy sector fell 1.25 per cent alongside a slide in oil prices.

US&nbspcrude future declined about 1 per cent, with expectations building that OPEC could wind down an output deal due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran.&nbsp

Ford and General Motors gained on the possibility of tariffs on European and Asian car imports. US-listed shares of Fiat fell 1.5 per cent.

Best Buy Co tumbled 7.5 per cent after the consumer electronics retailer reported a slowdown in quarterly online sales and did not update its full-year outlook.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The S&P index recorded 19 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 89 new highs and 37 new lows.

Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility,", even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site

US&nbspstocks dropped on Thursday, but were well off the session lows hit after President Donald Trump cancelled a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un and threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports. Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility,", even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site. The market, already lower due to a slide in oil prices and worries over Trump ordering a national security investigation into car and truck imports, dropped sharply after the meeting was called off. The autos probe, ordered on Wednesday, could lead to new tariffs and China called the move an "abuse" of the national security clauses and said it would defend its interests. Market participants said the drop after the summit was cancelled was a knee-jerk reaction. "Really not sure why people are looking at it so negatively, except when world politics is unstable, investors` knee-jerk reaction is to sell first and ask questions later," said Rick Meckler, partner, Cherry Lane Investments, a family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey. "The bigger news has really been the proposed tariffs on foreign cars, the administration provides so much potential change everyday, that it's difficult for investors to see consistency to the economic future." At 13:24 pm&nbspET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 64.85 points, or 0.26 per cent, at 24,821.96, the S&P 500 was down 4.23 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 2,729.06 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.98 points, or 0.03 per cent, at 7,427.94. Earlier in the session the blue chip Dow fell as much as 1.1 per cent to touch a two-week low. Defense stocks jumped after Trump called off the North Korea meeting and warned that the US&nbspmilitary was ready in the event of any reckless acts by North Korea. Seven of the 11 major S&P sectors were in the red, with financials dropping 0.67 per cent. The big banks were trading lower as the minutes from the Federal Reserve`s latest meeting tempered expectations of faster interest rate hikes. The energy sector fell 1.25 per cent alongside a slide in oil prices. US&nbspcrude future declined about 1 per cent, with expectations building that OPEC could wind down an output deal due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran. Ford and General Motors gained on the possibility of tariffs on European and Asian car imports. US-listed shares of Fiat fell 1.5 per cent. Best Buy Co tumbled 7.5 per cent after the consumer electronics retailer reported a slowdown in quarterly online sales and did not update its full-year outlook. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 19 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 89 new highs and 37 new lows.

Wall Street dips after Trump cancels North Korea summit, targets car imports

North Korea called US Vice-President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid" for his warnings over a planned summit with Donald Trump, renewing a threat to cancel as the US president said the fate of the historic talks will be decided next week.

Trump is due to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12 for high stakes talks aimed at ridding the reclusive state of its newly acquired nuclear weapons and improving ties after decades of animosity.

The summit announcement came after months of unusually cordial diplomacy between the historic foes brokered by South Korea.

But the newfound bonhomie and the meeting's potential success has been thrown into doubt in recent days with both Washington and Pyongyang raising the prospect of cancelling the talks and trading threats.

The latest broadside from North Korea came Thursday with vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui lambasting a Monday media interview in which Pence warned Kim Jong Un that it would be a "great mistake" to try and play Trump.

Pence also said North Korea could end up like Libya, whose former leader Moamer Khadafi was killed by US-backed rebels years after giving up atomic weapons, "if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal".

"I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president," Choe said in a statement released by the state-run KCNA news agency.

"We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," she said, adding she would recommend Kim cancel the talks if Washington continues to make such threats.

Similar comments comparing North Korea to Libya from Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton caused the first threat by Pyongyang last week to cancel the Singapore meeting.

"Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behaviour of the United States," she added.

AIDES HEAD TO SINGAPORE

Politically, Trump has invested heavily in the success of the planned summit, and so privately most US officials, as well as outside observers, believe it will go ahead.

Hand-picked aides -- including deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel -- are travelling to the Southeast Asian city-state designated to host the summit, officials said.

They are expected to meet their North Korean counterparts and iron out details of the meeting.

But Trump has also become increasingly lukewarm about meeting Kim, teasing his commitment to talks as keenly as any of his "The Apprentice" season finales.

"On Singapore, we'll see. It could very well happen," he said Wednesday, adding cryptically: "Whatever it is, we'll know next week."

Trump enthusiastically embraced the idea of talks earlier this year -- the first-ever meeting between a US president and a leader of North Korea.

But as the date draws nearer, the yawning gulf in expectations between the two sides is coming into sharp relief.

Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North.

But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression.

Some analysts have suggested both sides still want to meet in Singapore but are playing hardball in the run up to the summit to leverage a better negotiation position.

PR BATTLE

Ostensibly the Trump-Kim talks will be about peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons.

But even before talk of test freezes, decommissioning or inspections, Washington and Pyongyang are engaged in a public relations battle.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has met personally with Kim -- said whether the summit goes ahead is now up to North Korea.

"That decision will ultimately be up to Chairman Kim," he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. "He asked for the meeting, the president agreed to meet with him. I'm very hopeful that that meeting will take place."

His remarks reflect an effort to perhaps lay the groundwork for blame should the talks fail.

As part of its own charm offensive, North Korea invited some foreign journalists to witness the slated destruction of the isolated regime's nuclear test site.

The gesture, which experts agree would do little to curb North Korea's long-term nuclear capabilities, is meant to signal that the regime is serious about change.

Pyongyang said it planned to "completely" destroy the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast when it made the surprise announcement earlier this month.&nbsp;

The demolition is due to take place sometime between Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather.

Pence had warned Kim Jong Un in an interview that it would be a 'great mistake' to try and play Trump

North Korea called US Vice-President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid" for his warnings over a planned summit with Donald Trump, renewing a threat to cancel as the US president said the fate of the historic talks will be decided next week. Trump is due to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12 for high stakes talks aimed at ridding the reclusive state of its newly acquired nuclear weapons and improving ties after decades of animosity. The summit announcement came after months of unusually cordial diplomacy between the historic foes brokered by South Korea. But the newfound bonhomie and the meeting's potential success has been thrown into doubt in recent days with both Washington and Pyongyang raising the prospect of cancelling the talks and trading threats. The latest broadside from North Korea came Thursday with vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui lambasting a Monday media interview in which Pence warned Kim Jong Un that it would be a "great mistake" to try and play Trump. Pence also said North Korea could end up like Libya, whose former leader Moamer Khadafi was killed by US-backed rebels years after giving up atomic weapons, "if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal". "I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president," Choe said in a statement released by the state-run KCNA news agency. "We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," she said, adding she would recommend Kim cancel the talks if Washington continues to make such threats. Similar comments comparing North Korea to Libya from Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton caused the first threat by Pyongyang last week to cancel the Singapore meeting. "Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behaviour of the United States," she added. AIDES HEAD TO SINGAPORE Politically, Trump has invested heavily in the success of the planned summit, and so privately most US officials, as well as outside observers, believe it will go ahead. Hand-picked aides -- including deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel -- are travelling to the Southeast Asian city-state designated to host the summit, officials said. They are expected to meet their North Korean counterparts and iron out details of the meeting. But Trump has also become increasingly lukewarm about meeting Kim, teasing his commitment to talks as keenly as any of his "The Apprentice" season finales. "On Singapore, we'll see. It could very well happen," he said Wednesday, adding cryptically: "Whatever it is, we'll know next week." Trump enthusiastically embraced the idea of talks earlier this year -- the first-ever meeting between a US president and a leader of North Korea. But as the date draws nearer, the yawning gulf in expectations between the two sides is coming into sharp relief. Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North. But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression. Some analysts have suggested both sides still want to meet in Singapore but are playing hardball in the run up to the summit to leverage a better negotiation position. PR BATTLE Ostensibly the Trump-Kim talks will be about peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons. But even before talk of test freezes, decommissioning or inspections, Washington and Pyongyang are engaged in a public relations battle. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has met personally with Kim -- said whether the summit goes ahead is now up to North Korea. "That decision will ultimately be up to Chairman Kim," he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. "He asked for the meeting, the president agreed to meet with him. I'm very hopeful that that meeting will take place." His remarks reflect an effort to perhaps lay the groundwork for blame should the talks fail. As part of its own charm offensive, North Korea invited some foreign journalists to witness the slated destruction of the isolated regime's nuclear test site. The gesture, which experts agree would do little to curb North Korea's long-term nuclear capabilities, is meant to signal that the regime is serious about change. Pyongyang said it planned to "completely" destroy the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast when it made the surprise announcement earlier this month. The demolition is due to take place sometime between Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather.

North Korea says US Vice-President Mike Pence 'ignorant and stupid'

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday a planned summit with Kim Jong Un may not take place next month as planned, despite his belief that the North Korean leader is "serious" about denuclearization.

"It may not work out for June 12," Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore.

"If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

But Trump added that he does believe the North Korean leader is willing to give up nukes, amid fears about apparent North Korean backpedaling.

"I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, again raising the prospect of a windfall for Kim if he mothballs weapons programs.

"He will be extremely happy" Trump said of Kim, if the deal works out. "He will be very happy."

'It may not work out for June 12,' Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday a planned summit with Kim Jong Un may not take place next month as planned, despite his belief that the North Korean leader is "serious" about denuclearization. "It may not work out for June 12," Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore. "If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House. But Trump added that he does believe the North Korean leader is willing to give up nukes, amid fears about apparent North Korean backpedaling. "I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, again raising the prospect of a windfall for Kim if he mothballs weapons programs. "He will be extremely happy" Trump said of Kim, if the deal works out. "He will be very happy."

Trump says Kim summit could be delayed

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "serious" about denuclearization, as he remained coy about whether a landmark June 12 summit would go ahead as planned.

"I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit.

"If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

'I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious,' Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "serious" about denuclearization, as he remained coy about whether a landmark June 12 summit would go ahead as planned. "I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit. "If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

Donald Trump says Kim 'serious' about denuclearization

It has one foot in the East and one in the West, is ultra-modern, secure and sometimes mocked as being a little dull -- Singapore was the safe pick for a historic first meeting between the unpredictable leaders of the US and North Korea.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed the summit -- a first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader -- would take place in Singapore on June 12.

"We will both try to make it a very special moment for World Peace!" he tweeted.

It followed a second visit to Pyongyang by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday to make arrangements for the summit.&nbsp

The Southeast Asian financial hub was likely chosen due to its neutrality, security advantages and track record of hosting international summits, observers say.&nbsp

The ultramodern city-state has robust security infrastructure and is widely considered one of the safest cities in Asia.

It has tight restrictions over media and public gatherings, which will allow for a controlled environment likely to be preferred by the North Koreans.

Singapore is also in the rare position of having friendly diplomatic ties with both Washington and Pyongyang.

It considers the US a close partner, while North Korea maintains a fully functioning embassy in the city-state.

Singapore and the North have a long history of cooperation -- the first law firm and fast food restaurant in Pyongyang were both set up by Singaporeans -- even if relations hit a snag last year when Singapore enforced new UN sanctions on trade.&nbsp

Singapore will also be an acceptable choice to China, North Korea's only major ally, which wields a strong influence despite its physical absence from next month's proceedings.

"As a neutral, and objective country with much-admired consistent foreign policy principles and a small state with no desire or capacity to harm other states and their interests, Singapore fits that bill well," said Lim Tai Wei, adjunct research fellow at the National University of Singapore's East Asia Institute.&nbsp

&nbsp'No baggage'&nbsp

By apparently agreeing to meet Trump 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) away from Pyongyang, Kim has to travel a significant distance out of his comfort zone, said Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow at the S&nbspRajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).&nbsp

Since Kim took over as leader, he has rarely left his isolated nation and has only officially ventured away from home this year, with two visits to China, most recently travelling to the northeastern port city of Dalian where he met Xi.

He also stepped across the border into South Korea during a historic meeting with President Moon Jae-in in April, making him the first Northern leader to set foot in the South since the Korean War ceasefire in 1953. &nbsp

Remarkable images of the two leaders greeting each other warmly over the Military Demarcation Line that splits their countries, rich with symbolism and high political theatre, were broadcast around the world.

Trump had previously suggested that the demilitarised zone between the two Koreas could be a venue for his meeting with Kim, before ruling it out on Wednesday.

Nearby Mongolia was also ruled out as a possible neutral third-country venue, reportedly for security reasons.

But for Trump and Kim, Singapore is a convenient venue precisely because it "doesn't have the historical or political baggage," said Sarah Teo, an associate research fellow at RSIS's regional security architecture programme.

Singapore also has a track record for hosting international summits.&nbsp

In 2015, the city-state played host to a historic meeting between China's president Xi Jinping and then Taiwanese president Ma Ying Jeou.&nbsp

It hosts the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, a defence forum regularly attended by heads of state, defence ministers and high level military officials.&nbsp

Now the venue and date have been chosen, it only remains to be seen if Singapore will play host to a meeting that truly builds on hopes for the complete denuclearisation of the peninsula and a formal peace treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War.

 
&nbsp

It has one foot in the East and one in the West, is ultra-modern, secure and sometimes mocked as being a little dull -- Singapore was the safe pick for a historic first meeting between the unpredictable leaders of the US and North Korea

It has one foot in the East and one in the West, is ultra-modern, secure and sometimes mocked as being a little dull -- Singapore was the safe pick for a historic first meeting between the unpredictable leaders of the US and North Korea. US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed the summit -- a first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader -- would take place in Singapore on June 12. "We will both try to make it a very special moment for World Peace!" he tweeted. It followed a second visit to Pyongyang by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday to make arrangements for the summit. The Southeast Asian financial hub was likely chosen due to its neutrality, security advantages and track record of hosting international summits, observers say. The ultramodern city-state has robust security infrastructure and is widely considered one of the safest cities in Asia. It has tight restrictions over media and public gatherings, which will allow for a controlled environment likely to be preferred by the North Koreans. Singapore is also in the rare position of having friendly diplomatic ties with both Washington and Pyongyang. It considers the US a close partner, while North Korea maintains a fully functioning embassy in the city-state. Singapore and the North have a long history of cooperation -- the first law firm and fast food restaurant in Pyongyang were both set up by Singaporeans -- even if relations hit a snag last year when Singapore enforced new UN sanctions on trade. Singapore will also be an acceptable choice to China, North Korea's only major ally, which wields a strong influence despite its physical absence from next month's proceedings. "As a neutral, and objective country with much-admired consistent foreign policy principles and a small state with no desire or capacity to harm other states and their interests, Singapore fits that bill well," said Lim Tai Wei, adjunct research fellow at the National University of Singapore's East Asia Institute. 'No baggage' By apparently agreeing to meet Trump 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) away from Pyongyang, Kim has to travel a significant distance out of his comfort zone, said Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow at the S&nbspRajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). Since Kim took over as leader, he has rarely left his isolated nation and has only officially ventured away from home this year, with two visits to China, most recently travelling to the northeastern port city of Dalian where he met Xi. He also stepped across the border into South Korea during a historic meeting with President Moon Jae-in in April, making him the first Northern leader to set foot in the South since the Korean War ceasefire in 1953. Remarkable images of the two leaders greeting each other warmly over the Military Demarcation Line that splits their countries, rich with symbolism and high political theatre, were broadcast around the world. Trump had previously suggested that the demilitarised zone between the two Koreas could be a venue for his meeting with Kim, before ruling it out on Wednesday. Nearby Mongolia was also ruled out as a possible neutral third-country venue, reportedly for security reasons. But for Trump and Kim, Singapore is a convenient venue precisely because it "doesn't have the historical or political baggage," said Sarah Teo, an associate research fellow at RSIS's regional security architecture programme. Singapore also has a track record for hosting international summits. In 2015, the city-state played host to a historic meeting between China's president Xi Jinping and then Taiwanese president Ma Ying Jeou. It hosts the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, a defence forum regularly attended by heads of state, defence ministers and high level military officials. Now the venue and date have been chosen, it only remains to be seen if Singapore will play host to a meeting that truly builds on hopes for the complete denuclearisation of the peninsula and a formal peace treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War.

Why Singapore for the Trump-Kim summit?