Preparations underway for US-N Korea summit

Washington, May 10: US officials have been instructed to move forward with plans to convene a historic summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore, the media. The decision is ultimately up to Trump, who said on Wednesday he would announce the time and location in three days, reports CNN. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump on Wednesday ruled out the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divides North and South Korea as a potential location for the talks with Kim. Singapore and the DMZ are the only two places Trump has floated in public as potential venues for the meeting.

The Southeast Asian city-state has been the preferred location among US officials, who saw its neutrality as an advantage over locations closer to Pyongyang. Speaking during a briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders affirmed that a date and site had been determined. The meeting would be the first ever between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader, reports CNN. Singapore has long been seen as a gateway between Asia and the West, and today remains a close ally to Washington and also hosts a US military presence. It is also one of just 47 countries to host a North Korean embassy. (IANS)