Trump says still chance of meeting with Kim on June 12

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington is having "productive talks" with Pyongyang about reinstating the June 12 Singapore summit.

Trump earlier said that his planned meeting with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea’s top leader Kim Jong-un could still take place, just a day after he abruptly called off the summit citing Pyongyang's "open hostility”. 

Trump indicated the summit could still happen after receiving a “productive” statement from DPRK saying it remained open to talks.

DPRK Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan said, "We had set in high regards President Trump's efforts, unprecedented by any other president, to create a historic North Korea-US summit."

"We tell the United States once more that we are open to resolving problems at any time in any way," the senior DPRK diplomat said in a statement released by the central news agency KCNA on Friday.

"It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump said as he left the White House to deliver a commencement address at the US Naval Academy, according to a Reuters report. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th. We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it."

Earlier on Friday, Trump tweeted, “Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!”

Hours after releasing a letter Thursday morning to Kim announcing his decision to cancel what would have been a historic meeting in Singapore on June 12, Trump warned "maximum pressure campaign" would continue against Pyongyang, but that it was possible the summit could still take place.

“If and when Kim Jong-un chooses to engage in constructive dialogue and actions, I am waiting. In the meantime, our very strong sanctions — by far the strongest sanctions ever imposed — and maximum pressure campaign will continue, as it has been continuing,” Trump said.

But he added “a lot of things can happen, including the fact that, perhaps — and would wait — it’s possible that the existing summit could take place or a summit at some later date.”

Contact the writer at huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com