Trump says not considering sanctions on North Korea

WASHINGTON

The U.S. is not considering sanctions on North Korea, President Donald Trump said Monday in a sit-down with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The meeting came on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"I'm not considering actions. We're getting along very well with North Korea," said Trump. "I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un. And we're not considering actions at all."

The U.S. and North Korea have not met since the second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam ended abruptly in February.

In April, both leaders said they were willing to hold a third summit.

The first summit was held in June 2018 in Singapore.

Trump is the first U.S. president to meet a North Korean state leader.

"I will say this: If I weren’t President, you’d be at war with North Korea," said Trump. "We’ll see what happens. Maybe we’ll be able to make a deal."

The White House also said in a statement that Trump spoke about his relationship with Kim during the meeting with South Korea’s leader.

The U.S. president "is confident that Chairman Kim will fulfill commitments made during the historic Singapore and Hanoi Summits."

"President Trump and President Moon reaffirmed their commitment to continue close communication in the coming months," said White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley.