United States President, Donald Trump on Thursday agreed to meet with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un by May after Kim pledged to refrain from conducting further nuclear and missile tests and work towards denuclearization.

A short statement released by South Korea’s National Security Advisor, Chung Eui-Yong outside the White House announced the development. He however said a firm timetable as regards the date and venue for the meeting had not yet been mapped out.

Chung said that in his recent talks with South Korea, Kim Jong Un had expressed interest and eagerness to meet with Trump as soon as possible. If the meeting goes ahead, it would be the first time a sitting US President would meet his North Korean counterpart.

The White House has also confirmed that Trump would accept Kim’s invitation to meet, adding that at the moment, the American government was not even considering negotiating with the North Koreans, but rather working on options that would achieve a total denuclearization.

“What we’re talking about is an invitation by the leader of North Korea to meet face to face with the President of the United States. The President has accepted that invitation,” a statement from the White House said.

The US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson also said on Friday that the plan to hold talks with Kim was a decision Trump took himself, which he said was “something he (Trump) has had on his mind for quite some time.”

Describing North Korea’s decision to halt further missile and nuclear tests as progressive, President Trump tweeted that the sanctions imposed on the  nation would still remain intact until an agreement is reached during or after the planned meeting.