Donald Trump
Donald TrumpReuters

U.S. President Donald Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as "very open" and "very honorable" on Tuesday, adding Kim wants to meet "as soon as possible", reported AFP.

"We are having very good discussions," Trump said during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House.

"He really has been very open, I think -- very honorable," added Trump. "Now, a lot of promises have been made by North Korea over the years, but they have never been in this position."

"We have been told directly that they would like to have the meeting as soon as possible. We think that's a great thing for the world," he continued.

"We'll see where that will all go."

In March, Trump unexpectedly agreed to a meeting with Kim, to be held in May or June. Kim later acknowledged for the first time his country’s contacts with the United States.

Administration officials said on Sunday that Trump will urge North Korea to act quickly to dismantle its nuclear arsenal when he meets Kim and is not willing to grant Pyongyang substantial sanctions relief in return for a freeze of its nuclear and missile tests.

Trump reiterated on Tuesday that he would walk away from the talks with North Korea if they are not fruitful.

"Unlike past administrations, I will leave the table," he said. "But I think we have the chance to do something very special."