MIKE POMPEO/NORTH KOREA/SINGAPORE/SOUTH KOREA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday [5-23-18] he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting. White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday [5-22-18] there was a ‘substantial chance’ the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal. Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between U.S. and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction. Pompeo said he was ‘very hopeful’ the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim.”
-Reuters, “Trump Says Will Know Next Week if North Korea Summit to Go Ahead,” The New York Times online, May 23, 2018