Trump says he would invite Kim Jong Un to U.S. if negotiations go well
President Trump expressed an openness to inviting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the U.S. and even the White House, if summit negotiations go well. Mr. Trump made the remarks in the White House Rose Garden Thursday, during a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The summit is in Singapore in five days.
Mr. Trump said he "certainly" would consider inviting the North Korean leader to the U.S. if all goes well following summit negotiations. Given the choice between his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and the White House for a meeting venue, the president suggested the White House. At the same time, Mr. Trump said he's totally prepared to walk away from the summit, if necessary.
Mr. Trump also said he would expect to normalize relations with North Korea, should the regime follow through with any agreement in a way that meets U.S. expectations. That's a significant break from past U.S. policy in regards to North Korea.
The president's decision to cancel the summit, then call it back on again, squeezed the time frame for planning the Singapore summit, set to take place Tuesday. Speaking to reporters alongside Abe on Thursday, Mr. Trump said that the Tuesday summit is still subject to change.
"I think I'm very well prepared," Mr. Trump said of the expected summit. "I don't think I have to prepare very much. It's about attitude. It's about willingness to get things done. But I think I've been prepared for this summit for a long time."
Abe has insisted that Japan will accept nothing less than total denuclearization in North Korea.
Follow along below for updates from earlier.
Trump says summit will be "a terrific success or a modified success"
Mr. Trump expressed optimism ahead of the summit -- but held back a bit.
The summit will be a, "terrific success or a modified success," he said.
Trump says he would "certainly" invite Kim Jong Un to U.S. if all goes well
Asked if he will ever invite North Korea's Kim Jong Un to the U.S., Mr. Trump indicated an openness to the idea.
The president said he "certainly" invite Kim, should things go well. Asked if he would host Kim at Mar-a-Lago in Florida or at the White House, Mr. Trump said with a smile, "Maybe we'll start with the White House."
Trump says he is "totally prepared" to walk away if necessary
Mr. Trump said he is "totally prepared" to walk away from North Korea if necessary.
"All I can say is I am totally prepared to walk away," Mr. Trump said "I did it once before. You have to be able to walk away."
Abe says sanctions won't be lifted until North Korea follows through
Abe said sanctions punishing North Korea will continue until North Korea follows through with anything it agrees to do.
Japan and the United States will be in "full alignment" as the summit approaches, Abe said, through a translator.
Trump says he would expect to normalize relations with North Korea if it follow through
Mr. Trump said he would expect to normalize relations with North Korea, if North Korea does indeed follow through in steps related to denuclearization.
Trump on the "warm" letter from Kim Jong Un
Mr. Trump said the letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivered by a top North Korean official last week was a "warm" one.
"The letter was just a greeting," Mr. Trump said, calling it very "nice" and "warm."
"Nothing other than we look forward to seeing you and we look forward to the summit."
Abe says Japan "strongly hopes" for peace
Abe said the North Korea summit will be a major step, and Mr. Trump is about to make a new history. He said Japan is looking forward to the summit as a way to open peace and stability for the region.
If North Korea is willing to take steps in the right direction, North Korea will see a bright future, Abe said, echoing Mr. Trump.
Trump says U.S.-Japan bonds are stronger than ever
Mr. Trump said the bonds between their two nations are stronger than ever, before allowing Abe to give his remarks.
Trump says he hopes N.K. summit is the start of a "bright new future"
Mr. Trump said he hopes the upcoming North Korea summit will be the beginning of a "bright new future" for both North Korea and the world.
"I hope the upcoming meeting in Singapore represents the beginning of a bright new future for North Korea and, indeed, a bright new future for the world," Mr. Trump said.
Press conference to begin any minute
The press conference is expected to begin at any moment, as the Rose Garden fills up.
Trump tweets that it's an "honor" to host Abe
Mr. Trump tweeted that it is his "great honor" to host Abe at the White House.
Mr. Trump has often praised their great relationship.
Trump says he won't play golf with Kim Jong Un
Mr. Trump said he doesn't know how long he'll be in Singapore, but that he won't be playing golf with North Korean Kim Jong Un.
Trump says N.K. summit is more than a "photo op"
Mr. Trump, meeting with Abe, told reporters the summit "will not be just a photo op."
"If they don't denuclearize, that will not be acceptable," Mr. Trump said. "We cannot take sanctions off. The sanctions are extraordinarily powerful."
Mr. Trump said he "may" still add more sanctions, if necessary. Last week, the president said he doesn't intend to impose further sanctions.