President Donald Trump on Wednesday said US relations with North Korea are making "tremendous progress" from the days before his presidency when the two countries appeared close to "going to war."

Trump said a recent letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed the positive track, which he said has seen the hardline communist country promise to halt its nuclear missile test program and mount a combined bid with South Korea for the 2032 Olympic Games.

"We're making tremendous progress with respect to North Korea. Prior to becoming president, it looked like we were going to war with North Korea and now we have a lot of progress," Trump told journalists at the White House.

"A lot of tremendous things but very importantly no missile testing, no nuclear testing."

"The relationships, I have to tell you, at least on a personal basis, are very good. It is very much calmed down," Trump said.

An unprecedented June summit in Singapore between Trump and Kim aimed to break a decades-long standoff between the two countries, which have never formally ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.

However, critics accused Trump of naively playing into the North Korean's hands by giving him credibility with little concrete in return.

'Time for concrete action' on North Korea: UN chief
United Nations, United States (AFP) Sept 20, 2018 - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for concrete action to follow up on North Korea's commitment to close a missile test site with international monitors present.

Guterres welcomed the announcement by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a summit with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang.

"The commitments reflected in the joint statement include important military confidence-building measures and a commitment by the DPRK to dismantle missile engine testing infrastructure in the presence of experts from related countries," Guterres said in a statement.

"Now it is time for concrete action."

When North Korea dismantled a nuclear test site in May, Guterres complained that no international experts had been on hand to witness the closure.

North Korea also expressed readiness to close its Yongbyon nuclear plant, which is key to its weapons program, if Washington takes "corresponding measures."

Guterres offered UN help to advance efforts to fully rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons and called for unity among global powers.

The breakthrough at the Pyongyang summit came amid preparations for next week's annual gathering at the United Nations of world leaders, during which North Korea will loom large.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has invited North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong ho for talks in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting.

Pompeo said the talks in New York and meetings in Vienna will be the beginning of negotiations on the denuclearization of North Korea, to be completed by 2021.

Pompeo will chair a Security Council meeting next week on North Korea to discuss US diplomatic efforts that have undergone a major shift in tone from last year.

At last year's UN gathering, President Donald Trump threatened to totally destroy North Korea and derided Kim as "little rocket man."

The Trump administration is facing calls from Russia and China to consider easing tough economic sanctions imposed on North Korea to create an incentive for Pyongyang to move forward.

The United States maintains that sanctions must remain in place until North Korea has fully dismantled its weapons programs.

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N. Korea's Kim to visit Seoul, shut missile site
Seoul (AFP) Sept 19, 2018
North Korea's Kim Jong Un agreed to make a historic visit to Seoul soon and close a missile testing site in front of international inspectors at a summit with the South's President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang Wednesday. Progress on the key issue of the North's nuclear arsenal was limited, but the two signed a document to strengthen ties between the two halves of the divided peninsula. Building on a growing rapprochement, they agreed to create a facility to hold family reunions at any time, work tow ... read more