Trump cancels summit with Kim

WASHINGTON/SEOUL: US President Donald Trump informed Kim Jong Un Thursday he was canceling their nuclear summit next month in Singapore, blaming "anger" and "hostility" from the North Korean regime for the spectacular collapse of the historic event.

In a letter to Kim, Trump announced he was pulling out of the high-stakes meeting agreed for June 12, an unprecedented face-to-face between a US and North Korean leader aimed at ridding the reclusive state of nuclear weapons. Trump´s decision was announced shortly after North Korea declared it had "completely" dismantled its nuclear test site, in a carefully choreographed move portrayed by the isolated regime as a goodwill gesture ahead of the summit.

But the meeting´s chances of success had recently been thrown into doubt on both sides, and Trump´s announcement came a day after North Korea hardened its rhetoric by attacking Vice President Mike Pence as "ignorant and stupid."

"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," read Trump´s letter, released by the White House. "The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history," he said.

The US leader brandished the threat of America´s nuclear might in his letter, writing: "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."

But his letter also appeared to leave the door open to a future meeting with Kim, stressing he had been "very much looking forward" to the event -- on which he had pinned great hopes, openly entertaining the notion it could earn him a Nobel Peace Prize. "We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions," he told Kim. "I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters," Trump said.