The U.S. has reportedly confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is willing to talk to U.S. President Donald Trump about dismantling the North's nuclear weapons.

Bloomberg issued the report on Monday quoting a U.S. administration official, adding that whether Kim had made a genuine offer to discuss dismantling his nuclear program was a key question surrounding his offer to meet Trump. 

Bloomberg said the fact that the U.S. has confirmed North Korea’s willingness to even discuss denuclearization is a positive step toward the Trump-Kim meeting actually taking place, and suggests they are communicating directly in preparation for it.

The article came on the heels of a CNN report that the U.S. and North Korea have been holding secret, direct talks to prepare for the summit. 

CNN said that Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo, tapped as Trump's new secretary of state, has been working through intelligence back-channels to prepare for the summit.

[Photo : ]