Trump claims progress with North Korea, still plans to meet with Kim Jong Un

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Poll: Americans are less fearful of North Korea's nuclear weapons The Associated Press - NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey shows that last October 67 percent of people were worried about the threat that North Korea posed to the U.S. and its allies. That number has now dropped to 50 percent.

WASHINGTON — President Trump praised Kim Jong Un's surprise visit to China this week as a step toward denuclearization, and echoed his plan to meet with the North Korean leader soon about his country's nuclear weapons program.

"For years and through many administrations, everyone said that peace and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was not even a small possibility," Trump tweeted. "Now there is a good chance that Kim Jong Un will do what is right for his people and for humanity."

He added, "look forward to our meeting!"

Trump also said he spoke by phone with China President Xi Jinping, who claimed progress with Kim during meetings in Beijing.

Chinese state media reported that Kim committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula during his "unofficial visit" earlier this week. It was the first trip outside of North Korea for the 34-year-old Kim since he took power in 2011 after his father's death.

In his tweet, Trump said that Xi reported that "his meeting with KIM JONG UN went very well and that KIM looks forward to his meeting with me."

Trump announced earlier this month he had accepted an invitation delivered to him by the government of South Korea, which supports talks between the U.S. and North Korea.

U.S. officials are working to schedule a meeting that Trump would like to see by the end of May.

The Chinese news agency Xinhua, in its summary of the visit by the North Korean leader, quoted Kim as saying: “If South Korea and the United States respond with good will to our efforts and create an atmosphere of peace and stability, and take phased, synchronized measures to achieve peace, the issue of the denuclearization of the peninsula can reach resolution."

Trump said he would continue to press China and other countries to stop doing business with North Korea until it gives up the means to make nuclear weapons.

"In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!" Trump tweeted.