President Donald Trump is open to considering a U.S. Embassy in North Korea, and he is not rejecting any ideas that might be on the table leading up the summit in Singapore this week.
“It would all depend what he gets in return,” a source close to the White House told Axios. “Denuclearization would have to be happening.”
North Korea and the U.S. have discussed establishing official relations that could involve a U.S. Embassy in Pyongyang, Axios sources reported.
The U.S. and North Korean working groups — with engagements in New York, the DMZ and Singapore — have discussed establishing official relations between the two countries that would involve putting a U.S. embassy in Pyongyang. https://t.co/kInIflPiAn
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) June 10, 2018
“It’s definitely been discussed,” said one source, whom Axios identified as being familiar with how President Trump thinks. “His view is: ‘We can discuss that: It’s on the table. Let’s see.’ Of course we would consider it. There’s almost nothing he’ll take off the table going in.”
“POTUS will consider any idea anyone brings him if it delivers on denuclearization that is irreversible and verifiable,” the source added. “He won’t be played by Kim. But it is not his style to — on the front end — rule out possibilities of what could happen or may happen depending on how negotiations go.”
The news comes just as Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un are expected to meet for their historic summit in Singapore.
Both men have arrived in Singapore and are preparing for their first meeting, which is slated to take place 9 p.m. EST on Monday, or Tuesday morning local time in Singapore.
.@POTUS arrives in Singapore for meeting with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. pic.twitter.com/qj2S0mtEJ9
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 10, 2018
This will be the first time a U.S. President and a sitting North Korean leader have met in person.
Trump on Sunday night tweeted: “Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air!”
Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018
The President is expected to have a bilateral meeting and working lunch with Kim after a one-on-one meeting first thing Tuesday. Trump is then expected to have a presser before departing Singapore at 8 p.m. on Tuesday there, or 8 a.m. EST.
White House announces Trump and Kim will have a bilateral meeting and working lunch tomorrow after their one-on-one tomorrow. Then Trump will have a press conference and depart Singapore at 8 p.m. No second day of meetings. pic.twitter.com/CwkJO30x86
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 11, 2018
The White House announced the new schedule on Monday, which has the President leaving Singapore earlier than expected after discussions “have moved more quickly than expected.”
