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US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hold a press conference after their summit at the White House on June 7. (UPI)

US President Donald Trump departed the White House on the morning of June 8 for a journey that will take him first to Canada, site of the G7 Summit, and then on to a historic North Korea-US summit in Singapore. Reports also indicate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will be arriving in Singapore on June 10, two days ahead of the summit.

The world is now watching to see whether the three-month long drama – which began on Mar. 8 when Trump abruptly accepted Kim's proposal for a summit passed along by members of a South Korean special envoy delegation – will have a happy ending.

At a joint press conference following a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on June 7, Trump declared his hopes for Singapore with a first-ever reference to the possibility of normalizing diplomatic relations with North Korea. About an hour later, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a preliminary briefing on the North Korea-US summit. Taken together, these statements seem to offer some kind of an outline for what the Trump administration envisions in terms of a denuclearization process and corresponding measures.

Both of them reaffirmed that the US's ultimate goal is complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement (CVID). “We've seen how many inadequate agreements have been struck in the past,” Pompeo said.

“[CVID] is the only outcome that we will find acceptable,” he added.

Pompeo went on to call for a decision from North Korea, noting that Kim had “indicated to me, personally, that he is prepared to denuclearize,” adding that he was “hopeful that Chairman Kim Jong-un is prepared to make that decision for his country.”

The remarks hinted that the two sides have yet to finish coordinating their positions in terms of how CVID will be incorporated into the summit outcome. With the key issue of CVID not being a matter that can be agreed upon in working-level talks, whatever decision does come is likely to emerge through negotiation between the two leaders.

Trump also shared his views once again on the two major issues in terms of corresponding measures for denuclearization, namely North Korea's regime security and economic development.

“We could sign an agreement [at the summit],” he said of a declaration ending the Korean War, which has recently emerged as a focus of major attention.

“That would be a first step,” he added.

His remarks were seen as part of a “words for words” exchange ahead of “actions for actions” on denuclearization, alluding to the start of a process – as he has characterized the North Korea-US summit to date. When asked whether a normalization of North Korea-US diplomatic relations was a possibility, he replied, “Normalizing relations is something that I would expect to do, I would hope to do, when everything is complete,” adding the US “would certainly hope to do that.”

In the past, Trump has used only abstract language about North Korea being “happy” with the results of denuclearization, without referring explicitly to normalizing relations. In effect, he laid out a blueprint with a declaration of the Korean War's end at the outset of dialogue and the possibility of normalized relations and a peace agreement once denuclearization is complete. But some analysts suggested the offer to normalize relations as a measure following denuclearization won't be a big enough carrot for Pyongyang.

In terms of the other area of corresponding measures – economic development – renewed mention was made of the complete or partial lifting of sanctions and support from South Korea, China, and Japan to form a hospitable environment for investment. While reaffirming that he had decided to keep the sanctions in place “until we can make a deal,” he added, “I really believe there's a potential to make a deal.”

“I just don't think it's nice going in under those circumstances,” he added. His remarks could be seen as hinting an earlier-than-expected lifting of sanctions if the outcome of negotiations is satisfactory.

Trump also predicted, “We're going to have a great success. [But] I don't think it will be in one meeting.” Alluding to a step-by-step approach with several North Korea-US summits, he stressed the importance of building trust. When asked whether he might invite Kim Jong-un to the US if the summit goes well, he replied, “If it goes well,” adding that he thought the invitation “would be well received.”

“I think [Kim Jong-un] would look at it very favorably,” he said.

On the question of a venue for a second summit, he said, “Maybe we'll start with the White House. What do you think?” With the possibility North Korea could also propose a Pyongyang visit by Trump, the order and timeline for the exchange visits are emerging as major focuses of attention.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a source connected to the North Korea-US summit preparations as saying on June 8 that Kim would be arriving at Singapore's Changi International Airport on June 10. With Trump scheduled to leave Canada on June 9 and arrive in Singapore on the afternoon of June 12, the possibility of the two meeting before the official summit start date of June 12 cannot be ruled out.

By Yi Yong-in, Washington correspondent, and Gil Yun-hyung, staff reporter 　

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