Trump touts ‘progress being made’ on North Korea

President Trump on Friday night touted “progress being made for all” amid talks to draw down nuclear weapons in North Korea.

Trump indicated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed North Korean state media reports that the country would halt nuclear and missile tests and shutter a nuclear test site in the country’s north region.

“A message from Kim Jong Un: ‘North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles,’ ” Trump tweeted. “Also will ‘Shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear tests.’ Progress being made for all!”

A message from Kim Jong Un: “North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles.”
Also will “Shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear tests.” Progress being made for all!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2018

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North Korea has not agreed to give up its nuclear weapons program entirely, although most observers believe that is the goal of upcoming expected talks between North and South Korea and the U.S.

Kim has indicated halting its own nuclear testing “is an important process for the world-wide disarmament,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

Kim also wants the U.S. to lift sanctions on Pyongyang, but Trump has said sanctions will remain in place until an agreement is reached. It is not clear what additional demands the U.S. has made of Kim.

Trump is expected to meet with Kim sometime next month. It will be the first meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader.