Washington did not inform Seoul of its decision to call off its planned summit with North Korea until it was reported by media.

A high-ranking official of South Korea's presidential office said the U.S. government notified Seoul of its move almost at the same time when it was announced to the public. 

The White House was known to have first informed South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Yoon-je, who then delivered the news to the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae.

According to American media outlets, the U.S. government began discussing the possibility of canceling the U.S.-North Korea summit Wednesday night local time. 

The South Korean official said there were no advance discussions on the matter between Seoul and Washington.

[Photo : KBS News]