Choe is thought to have direct access to Kim Jong-un, and according to "The Times" Daniel Hurst, "it is unlikely that she was speaking without the authority of Mr Kim". Choe's remarks directly led to Trump promptly notifying North Korea that the planned 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit would be canceled. According to CNN, "Trump and his aides were infuriated by the statement and wanted to respond forcefully ... The specific and personal targeting of Pence is what irked US officials".