Trump: There is still a possibility of meeting with North Korean leader

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who had canceled a meeting with Kim Jong Un a day earlier by sending a letter, said on Friday that there is still a possibility for a meeting between the two sides to take place in June in Singapore. After North Korea announced in a message that it is still hopeful for negotiations, Mr. Trump also stated that perhaps the meeting could still be held. Mr. Trump said at the U.S. Naval Academy: "The statement they (North Korea) released was very good. Now we will see what happens; maybe we will meet on June 12 – Khordad 22." The U.S. President added: "Now both sides are talking. They really want [this meeting] to happen, and we also want it to happen." Donald Trump, in a letter he wrote a day earlier, cited "open anger and blatant hostility" in North Korea's recent positions as the reason for canceling the meeting. In Pyongyang, Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister, said: "North Korea's criticism of some U.S. officials was due to the manner of expression, and this situation showed how necessary this meeting is." The North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister also stated in a released statement: "The unilateral and sudden cancellation of the meeting by him (Donald Trump) was unexpected for us, and we are very regretful about missing the opportunity for dialogue." This official added that North Korea is ready to resolve issues with Washington at any time. In Washington, some sources said Trump has tasked diplomats to pursue the possibility of holding the meeting. Katina Adams, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, did not confirm these reports and only stated: "As the President of the United States said, maintaining dialogue between the two countries is important. If they are serious about this meeting, we are also waiting to hear from them about the meeting at the highest levels between the two countries." In recent days, the verbal war between the U.S. and North Korea had intensified, especially following statements by John Bolton, the White House National Security Advisor, and then Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States. John Bolton said in a television interview on May 12 that the model for North Korean disarmament could be similar to the "Libya model" in 2003. Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, also stated that only if Kim Jong Un does not agree, he will face the Libya model. Muammar Gaddafi voluntarily halted his initial nuclear program in 2003 and was exempted from sanctions. However, Gaddafi's regime was targeted by a NATO coalition attack in 2011 following public protests. Muammar Gaddafi was ultimately killed by his opponents.