5 May
US President Donald Trump remains optimistic about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un following Pyongyang's launch of several short-range projectiles on Saturday. South Korea's military says the projectiles were fired from Wonsan on the eastern side of North Korea.
Trump tweeted later in the day that Kim Jong Un knows that he is with Kim and does not want to break a promise to him. Trump is apparently referring to Kim's promise not to test-fire missiles or to conduct nuclear tests. The president also tweeted that he believes that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, and will do nothing to interfere or end it.
The tweet indicates Trump's renewed conviction that North Korea will denuclearize in return for economic support. The Trump administration is exploring ways to resume denuclearization talks to make way for a third summit with Kim. There is no prospect of talks restarting while the US maintains its position of keeping sanctions on Pyongyang without complete denuclearization.
On Tuesday, a senior North Korean diplomat warned of "undesired consequences" for Washington if it does not change its position by the end of this year.—NHK
