A photo released by the White House shows U.S. Central Intelligence Director Mike Pompeo meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang. / Yonhap

/ Yonhap

The White House on Thursday released photos of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's secret meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The two photos -- sent to reporters by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders -- show Pompeo and Kim meeting in Pyongyang over Easter weekend. The White House did not disclose the exact venue and date.

Pompeo traveled to North Korea to prepare for a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim. At the time, he was director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

The photos were released shortly after Pompeo was sworn in as new secretary of state upon confirmation by the Senate.

Pompeo photos - Trump's media play on Korea summit? 2018-04-27 11:48
Trump said in an interview on "Fox and Friends" earlier Thursday that the two weren't supposed to meet.

"They arranged, actually while he was there, to say hello," the president said. "We have incredible pictures of the two talking and meeting which I'd love to release. If we can I'll do that, actually. It's not a bad idea."

Pompeo and Kim were together for more than an hour and "got along," he added.

Trump has said he will meet Kim in May or early June to talk about the denuclearization of the regime. He told the show there are three or four dates, and five locations, being considered for the summit. (Yonhap)