The commander of the U.S. Forces Korea said Friday that President Donald Trump's cancellation of the June 12th summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un means a delay, not loss, of an unprecedented chance for rapprochement.

Speaking at a local seminar, General Vincent Brooks called on the South Korean people to not worry about what happened. He said "it may have been too early to celebrate," but also "too early to quit."

Citing the high expectations for a successful summit next month, Brooks said "Korea remains not the land of morning calm, but the land of morning surprise."

The commander's remarks came amid speculation that Washington and Pyongyang have left the door open for their leaders' meeting on North Korea's denuclearization.

Brooks, meanwhile, highlighted the alliance between Seoul and Washington, comparing it to the evergreen trees on Seoul's Namsan Mountain that can withstand the cold and wind. 

[Photo : YONHAP News]