The White House: "Trump open to exchanging letters with Kim Jong-un...Wants progress"

The White House has stated that President Donald Trump wants to make progress in relations with North Korea. It was also reported that President Trump is open to exchanging letters with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of North Korea.

Caroline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said during a briefing on the 11th (local time) in response to a question regarding reports that North Korea refused to receive a personal letter sent to Kim by President Trump, "The President is still maintaining a receptive attitude to exchanging letters with Kim Jong-un."

Leavitt continued, "He (the President) wants to see progress like what was achieved at the Singapore summit," adding, "As for the specifics of exchanging letters, I'll leave it to the President to answer directly."

Earlier, the U.S. North Korea–focused media outlet NK News, citing anonymous sources, reported that North Korean diplomats in New York refused to accept President Trump's letter. It was explained that President Trump sent the letter in an attempt to restart the dialogue process that took place through the North Korea–U.S. summit during his first term.

Leavitt’s briefing responses did not deny the NK News report, and can be interpreted as President Trump being mindful of improving North Korea–U.S. relations through communication with Chairman Kim. In the past, President Trump met Kim Jong-un three times in Singapore, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Panmunjom, and exchanged several letters.