CGTN America
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed his historic meeting with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday, telling a news conference that the parties are at “the beginning of an arduous process, our eyes are wide open, but peace is always worth the effort.”
The leaders of the countries signed a joint four-point document earlier in the day which included a commitment to “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” and “security guarantees” from the U.S.
Trump told the media after the summit concluded that Kim had also agreed to destroy a “major” missile testing site, said the U.S. would be “stopping the war games,” and reiterated that the sanctions program against Pyongyang would remain in place.
Trump said in the news conference on Tuesday afternoon that the DPRK had a “bright future” and revealed he had shown Kim a video illustrating the country’s potential, but insisted sanctions would remain in place until “the nukes are no longer a factor.”
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The U.S. president hailed the DPRK commitment to “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” and said verification processes had been discussed, but conceded that full denuclearization would take “a long time.” He added: “We will do it as fast as it can mechanically and physically be done.”
Trump added he believed the Korean War “will soon end,” saying “the past does not have to define the future, yesterday’s conflict does not have to be tomorrow’s war.”
“We are prepared to start a new history, and are ready to write a new chapter between our nations,” Trump said.
He went on to say that bringing home U.S. troops from the Republic of Korea was an aspiration that would not happen in the short term, but added that “very expensive” and “provocative” military exercises with Seoul would cease.
The U.S. president added that he would both travel to Pyongyang and invite Kim to the White House “at the appropriate time.”
Trump also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing him as “a terrific person and a friend of mine and really a great leader of his people,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and ROK President Moon Jae-in for their roles in creating the environment for the summit to take place. He added that he would speak to Xi and Moon shortly.
The agreement was signed after the first meeting between a sitting U.S. president and DPRK leader, an unprecedented event which took place at the Capella Hotel on Singapore’s Sentosa island.
Trump called the document “important” and “pretty comprehensive” during the signing ceremony, while Kim described it as “historic.”
What’s in the document?
The signatures of U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) are seen on a document held up by Trump following a signing ceremony during their summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo
The document signed by Trump and Kim featured a U.S. commitment to provide security guarantees to the DPRK and a commitment from Kim to “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
“President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to the DPRK,” the document read, “and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
The document also included the following four points:
- The United States and the DPRK commit to establish new U.S.-DPRK relations in accordance with the desire of the peoples of the two countries for peace and prosperity.
- The United States and the DPRK will join their efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
- Reaffirming the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the DPRK commits to work towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
- The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains including the immediate repatriation of those already identified.
The World Responds
Here is a sample of global reaction to the historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un:
“I, along with all our people, sincerely hope that it will be a successful summit that will open a new era of complete denuclearization, peace and a new relationship between South Korea, The DPRK and the United States.”
– Moon Jae-in, President of The Republic of Korea
“Our republic has been squeezed in between the great powers in the past… But today, we are showing our dignity as an independent nation in front of the whole world.”
– Lieutenant Colonel Hwang Myong Jin of the DPRK Army stationed in the DMZ
A South Korean newspaper deliveryman collects newspapers in Seoul reporting the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12, 2018.
“I will continue aiming to resolve concerns such as the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. I want to do my best by firmly cooperating between Japan, the U.S. and South Korea as well as China and Russia and the international community.”
– Shinzo Abe, President of Japan
“We are convinced that the termination of provocative actions is an important step towards reduction of tensions around the peninsula and creation of confidence there…”
– Russian Foreign Ministry Statement
“Today’s summit between the two proves that diplomacy and dialogue are always the way forward.”
– Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
“As symbolic and as historic and as amazing as this visual is, we also recognize that a lot of work needs to be done. So we’re hopeful and I think, after all this, I don’t know, I’m almost speechless.”
– Joon Bang, Executive Director of Korean American Coalition
