The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday voiced surprise and regret over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to cancel his meeting with top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, which was scheduled for June 12 in Singapore.
DPRK First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said the DPRK is ready to sit down with the United States any time in any manner for talks to solve the problems existing between them.
In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Kye Gwan also said Trump's decision disappoints the international community that is happy to see peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
He noted that the DPRK's initiatives made to end decades-long hostility and distrust with the United States are supported by the international community.
The DPRK's preparations for the planned leaders' meeting were also entering the final phase when Trump announced his decision to cancel it, to the surprise and regret of Pyongyang, he said.
The first vice foreign minister also denied Trump's accusation that Pyongyang "displayed tremendous anger and hostility" towards Washington recently, which Trump said was the reason for canceling the Singapore meeting.
Those were only a natural response to the excessive rhetoric made by U.S. officials to mount pressure on the DPRK on denuclearization before the scheduled meeting was even held, said the official.
He said the DPRK still appreciates the decision and efforts made by Trump towards a meeting with DPRK, making him the first sitting U.S. president to have ever done so.
Pyongyang is still willing to push for such a meeting with Washington and would like the two sides to solve their existing problems step by step through dialogue, he said.
The "DPRK's resolve to safeguard peace and stability at the Korean Peninsula and the world will not be compromised," he added.
