Donald Trump 'will know next week' if summit with Kim Jong-un is taking place amid new US-North Korea tensions

Washington: United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that "next week" it will become known whether the anticipated summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will take place on 12 June in Singapore, as scheduled, or will be postponed.

File image of US president Donald Trump. AP

"We will know next week about Singapore. Someday a date will happen. It could very well be 12 June," Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for New York to participate in an event concerning immigration.

"Whatever it is, we'll know next week. If we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea," Efe quoted the President as saying.

Trump announced two weeks ago that his historic summit with the North Korean leader had been scheduled for 12 June in Singapore, but uncertainty regarding the meeting increased substantially last week when Pyongyang threatened to cancel it because of the White House's insistence that it "unilaterally" denuclearize.

On Tuesday, Trump said that "There's a very substantial chance that it won't work out. It may not work out for 12 June," adding that "If it doesn't happen, maybe it will happen later. We are talking."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said shortly after Trump's remarks that the US was continuing to prepare for the summit and was aiming for the 12 June date. "We are working to make sure that there's a common understanding about the contents of what will be discussed, but I'm optimistic," said Pompeo.

The top US diplomat, who has met twice with Kim in recent weeks, insisted on Wednesday that he is still "optimistic" about the prospects for the summit in an appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.