'North Korea is sort of a nuclear power'

US President Donald Trump has characterised North Korea as a quasi nuclear state.

- Agencies

Trump said, “I think they are sort of a nuclear power. They got a lot of nuclear weapons, I'll say that.” This is a new first in terms of such a description for North Korea from the US.

He also said he is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming trip to Asia, raising the possibility of a fresh encounter between the two leaders after years of stalled dialogue.

“I would. If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it,” Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One as he departed for the region, adding that he “had a great relationship” with Kim.