Canada to closely watch meeting between Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un

Foreign Affairs MinisterChrystiaFreelandsays Canada will be closely watching anyupcoming meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leaderKimJong-un.

An invitation was extended by North Koreaearlier this week,according to Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary. Sheaddedthat the presidentwas promiseddenuclearization.

In a statement given Thursday evening, Sanders said Trump "will accept the invitation to meet with KimJong-unat a place and time to be determined."

It's a development the international community would have deemed unthinkable a few months ago, as tweets and insults were flying between the two leaders.

Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump to meet by May

7 years ago

Duration 2:16

Chung Eui-Yong, a South Korean national security adviser, said that North Korean leader Kim had requested the meeting.

But Canada has laid a lot of the groundwork leading up to this point,Freelandtold CBC Radio'sThe House.

In January, Canadaco-hosteda summit in Vancouver to discuss the growing tensions with North Korea.

The gathering ofCanada, the U.S., U.K., Australia and 13 other countries placed a heavierfocus on sanctions than diplomacy.

Freelandexplained therewere two objectives she wanted out of the meetings: Showing the world that a diplomatic solution is essential and possible, and communicating to North Korea that the international community is united in their response to nuclear threats.

Meeting 'directly touches' Canadian security

While she kept tight-lipped on the specifics of Canada's involvement in the upcoming 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,"Freelandsaid.

"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."

Similar invitations from Pyongyang have been extended to other U.S. presidents,but Trump isthe first to accept.

Talks between Washington and Pyongyang have previously been overseen by lower-level experts, and have often bogged downbecause of details, such as allowing outsiders in to inspect North Korea's nuclear compliance.