Donald Trump has sent secretary of state Mike Pompeo to North Korea with two gifts for Kim Jong Un – including an Elton John CD featuring the song Rocket Man, according to South Korean media.
Citing sources in Washington, The Chosun Ilbo newspaper reports that the presents – the other of which is a letter from the US president – reflect Mr Trump's expectation that Mr Kim will follow through on the denuclearisation pledge he made during their summit in Singapore last month.
It is said that during the meeting, Mr Kim mentioned the infamous "Rocket Man" barb used by Mr Trump at the height of their feud over Pyongyang's controversial missile tests.
The president also repeatedly used the insult outside of Twitter – and it came up during discussions between the two leaders because Mr Kim was unfamiliar with the hit track.
According to the South Korean newspaper, Mr Trump remembered the conversation and told Mr Pompeo to take a CD with the song for Mr Kim. He also wrote a message and signed it.
Mr Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang on Friday for a two-day visit – his third trip to the isolated state since taking the secretary of state job in April – and he was met at the airport by senior official Kim Yong Chol.
He said he expects North Korea to be ready to "fill in some details" of the commitments made by Mr Kim in Singapore.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on a trip to Montana that he was still upbeat about the future of North Korea and his relationship with its leader.
"I had a very good feeling about him," he said.
More from Kim Jong Un
"I shook his hand, I felt we got along very well. I think we understand each other. I really believe that he sees a different future for North Korea. I hope that's true.
"If it's not true, then we go back to the other way, but I don't think that's going to be necessary."
Donald Trump has sent secretary of state Mike Pompeo to North Korea with two gifts for Kim Jong Un – including an Elton John CD featuring the song Rocket Man, according to South Korean media.
Citing sources in Washington, The Chosun Ilbo newspaper reports that the presents – the other of which is a letter from the US president – reflect Mr Trump's expectation that Mr Kim will follow through on the denuclearisation pledge he made during their summit in Singapore last month.
It is said that during the meeting, Mr Kim mentioned the infamous "Rocket Man" barb used by Mr Trump at the height of their feud over Pyongyang's controversial missile tests.
The president also repeatedly used the insult outside of Twitter – and it came up during discussions between the two leaders because Mr Kim was unfamiliar with the hit track.
According to the South Korean newspaper, Mr Trump remembered the conversation and told Mr Pompeo to take a CD with the song for Mr Kim. He also wrote a message and signed it.
Mr Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang on Friday for a two-day visit – his third trip to the isolated state since taking the secretary of state job in April – and he was met at the airport by senior official Kim Yong Chol.
He said he expects North Korea to be ready to "fill in some details" of the commitments made by Mr Kim in Singapore.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on a trip to Montana that he was still upbeat about the future of North Korea and his relationship with its leader.
"I had a very good feeling about him," he said.
More from Kim Jong Un
"I shook his hand, I felt we got along very well. I think we understand each other. I really believe that he sees a different future for North Korea. I hope that's true.
"If it's not true, then we go back to the other way, but I don't think that's going to be necessary."