WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Friday said the date and locationhave been set for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whichwould be announced soon, and hinted at progress in winning the release ofthree Americans held in North Korea.

The White House has said the first meeting between sitting US and NorthKorean leaders could take place in the coming weeks. Trump is expected topush for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

Labour camp

“We’re having very substantive talks with North Korea and a lot of thingshave already happened with respect to the (US) hostages. I think you’regoing to see very good things,” Trump told reporters.

The US government is looking into reports that three Americans arrested inrecent years in North Korea had recently been relocated from a labour campto a hotel near Pyongyang, as expectations grow that they will be releasedbefore the summit.

Trump said this week that the demilitarised zone, or DMZ, between North andSouth Korea would be an excellent venue for the planned summit, but thatSingapore was also a possible site.

The Peace House at the DMZ was the venue for a meeting last month betweenKim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Trump also told reporters on Friday that he was not considering reducingthe US military’s presence in South Korea as part of the negotiations.

“Troops are not on the table,” he said before a flight to Dallas, Texas,where he will address the National Rifle Association.