Trump says date about US-DPRK summit will be known 'next week'

The fate of a landmark summit with Democratic People's Republic of Korea's leader Kim Jong-un will be decided "next week", US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, a day after he said there was “substantial chance” it may not be held on June 12.

"We're going to see what happens. On Singapore, we're going to see," Trump told reports in White House on Wednesday. "But whatever it is, it is. We will know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea."

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Washington on Wednesday that China firmly supports the planned meeting between Trump and Kim

Speaking at a press conference with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after their meeting, Wang urged the US side to grasp the current opportunity to create peace and make history.

Trump raised doubts about the Singapore summit for the first time on Tuesday, saying, "There's a very substantial chance it won't work out."

But he said on Wednesday, "Someday a date will happen. It could very well be June 12th."

Over the past few weeks, the US president had either said he might walk out of the meeting if he is not satisfied, or said he will "see what happens", a tone that was maintained by the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

"We continue to prepare for the summit, and if they want to meet, we will certainly be ready," Sanders said at Tuesday’s briefing.

The president himself is also preparing for the summit, according to Sanders.

He has spent a significant amount of time meeting both in person and having regular phone conversations with other world leaders, and has constant and regular meetings with his national security team. “This is something they talk about on a daily basis and will continue to in preparation,” she said.