Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un set to meet for first time

The meeting between the two leaders could potentially mark a major breakthrough in nuclear tensions with Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump said he was prepared to meet North Korea's Kim Jong-un in what would be the first face-to-face encounter between the two countries' leaders.

The meeting could potentially mark a major breakthrough in nuclear tensions with Pyongyang.

Mr Kim has "committed to denuclearisation" and to suspending nuclear and missile tests, South Korea's National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong told reporters at the White House yesterday after briefing Mr Trump on a meeting South Korean officials held with Mr Kim earlier this week.

"A meeting is being planned," Mr Trump posted on Twitter after speaking to Mr Chung, setting up what would be his biggest foreign policy gamble since taking office in January 2017.

Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump

Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!

1:08 AM - Mar 9, 2018

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Mr Chung said Mr Trump had agreed to meet by May in response to Mr Kim's invitation.

A senior US official said later it could happen "in a matter of a couple of months, with the exact timing and place still to be determined".

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who led the pursuit of detente with North Korea during his country's hosting of the Winter Olympics last month, said the summit would set a course for denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, according to a presidential spokesman.

Mr Trump had agreed to meet Mr Kim without any preconditions, another South Korean official said.