Pence says Trump likely to meet Kim in 2019

But says won’t repeat past mistakes of allowing promises to be broken

SINGAPORE: US Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday President Donald Trump is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the new year but won’t repeat past mistakes of allowing promises to be broken on pledges to end arms programs.

The United States and North Korea have been engaged in talks on when their leaders would have their second meeting, after the first one in Singapore in June to lay the groundwork for ending a nuclear stand-off between the old foes.

A US think tank said on Monday it had identified at least 13 of an estimated 20 active, undeclared missile bases inside North Korea, underscoring the challenge for American negotiators hoping to persuade Kim to give up his weapons programs.