Trump cancels meeting with Kim; warns North Korea against any 'foolish and reckless' action

US President Donald Trump today cancelled his proposed summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on June 12 in Singapore and blamed Pyongyang's "tremendous anger" and "open hostility" for his dramatic decision.

Trump described the cancellation of the summit as "a tremendous setback" for North Korea and warned that the US military is ready to act should Pyongyang take any "foolish and reckless" action.

His announcement came hours after North Korea carried out what it said is the demolition of its nuclear test site today.

"I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote in a letter to Kim which was released to the press.

"Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place," Trump said in his letter dated May 24.

"You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used," he said, in an apparent warning to the North Korean leader.

Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North. But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression.

Later, Trump said that he has spoken to his Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his military leadership and that both South Korea and Japan are prepared for any eventuality and the two countries have agreed to bear the substantial cost of any such military action against North Korea.

"Our military, which is by far the most powerful anywhere in the world that has been greatly enhanced recently as we all know, is ready as necessary," he told reporters at the White House.

But he hinted that there is still some possibility of a June 12 summit meeting with Kim in Singapore or even at a later date. "If and when Kim Jong-un chooses to engage in constructive dialogue and actions, I am waiting."
In his letter, Trump said, "I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Someday, I look very much forward to meeting you."
He also posted his letter to Kim on his personal Twitter account and wrote "Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim..."