Trump confirms Pompeo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday morning that CIA Director Mike Pompeo visited North Korea and met with leader Kim Jong Un.

"Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un in North Korea last week. Meeting went very smoothly and a good relationship was formed," the President tweeted. "Details of Summit are being worked out now. Denuclearization will be a great thing for World, but also for North Korea!"

Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un in North Korea last week. Meeting went very smoothly and a good relationship was formed. Details of Summit are being worked out now. Denuclearization will be a great thing for World, but also for North Korea!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018

USA Today said that on Tuesday, the president hinted at Pompeo's trip, acknowledging direct talks "at very high levels, extremely high levels, with North Korea." Aides later said those talks, which occurred over Easter weekend, did not involve Trump himself.


Pompeo is also Trump's nominee to be secretary of State. His nomination currently is tied up in the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow majority and numerous Democrats have announced their opposition.

CNN said that during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday, Trump said "very high levels" of discussion between Washington and Pyongyang are already underway, adding that they "have had direct talks." 

The White House later clarified Trump's comments to make it clear he has not yet talked directly with Kim.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said five locations were being considered for the historic summit but didn't elaborate on what they might be.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders clarified Trump's comments, saying "the president said the administration has had talks at the highest levels and added that they were not with him directly".


When asked about Pompeo, Al-Jazeera quoted Ms. Sanders as saying: "The administration does not comment on the CIA director's travel."