The House

Canada closely watching meeting between Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada will be closely watching any upcoming meetings between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may meet in the near future. (Kevin Lamarque/KCNA/Reuters)

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada will be closely watching any upcoming meetings between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.

Canada has laid a lot of the groundwork leading up to this point, Freeland told The House.

In a statement given Thursday evening, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump "will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong-un at a place and time to be determined."

In January, Canada co-hosted a summit in Vancouver to discuss the growing tensions with North Korea.

Freeland explained there were two objectives she wanted the meetings to achieve: Showing the world that a diplomatic solution is essential and possible, and communicating to North Korea that the international community is united.

While she kept tight-lipped on the specifics of Canada's involvement in the meeting, she said it's important to keep open communication between countries -- especially when it comes to North Korea.

"It directly touches the security of Canadians," Freeland said.

"This is the year that Canada is chairing the G7 and I think that gives us an opportunity and responsibility to play a role here."