Trump summit will be 'excellent first step': Kim

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has "reached a satisfactory consensus" with the United States on holding a summit with President Donald Trump, according to Pyongyang's official media Thursday.

The agreement reportedly came a day earlier during Kim's talks with visiting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was then able to leave for the U.S. with three American detainees.

Trump had previously suggested he expected the prisoners' release, and a White House statement made clear that he appreciates Kim's decision.

The three Korean Americans were arrested in North Korea at various times since 2015 for alleged religious and humanitarian activities deemed hostile to Pyongyang's regime.

With a more positive mood brewing between the sides after decades of tensions following the 1950-53 Korean War, the North's KCNA news agency quoted Kim as having said his summit with Trump "would be a historic meeting for the excellent first step toward promotion of the positive situation development in the Korean peninsula and building of a good future".

South Korean news agency Yonhap noted this was the first time for Kim to directly mention his plan to talk with Trump.

The unprecedented summit between the American and North Korean leaders is now expected to take place on neutral ground after Trump ruled out the inter-Korean border Wednesday during a Cabinet meeting.

U.S. broadcaster CNN cited sources claiming Singapore will host the summit.