Trump describes his first-ever meeting with Kim as 'really fantastic'
What's the story
US President Donald Trump described his first-ever historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as "really fantastic" and said they agreed to "sign" an unspecified document after their "very positive" summit. The summit was aimed at normalizing ties and complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. With this, Trump (71) and Kim (34) became the first leaders of their respective countries ever to meet.
Bilateral ties
We will have a 'terrific relationship' ahead: Trump
Trump and Kim shook hands at Capella Singapore hotel in Sentosa Island. They walked towards each other, stood face to face for the first time and shared a 12-second handshake against a backdrop of American and North Korean flags. They both held a one-on-one meeting for around 45-minutes with just translators present. Following the meeting, Trump said, "We will have a terrific relationship ahead."
Respectful
Trump, Kim showed respect to one another
According to North Korean media, Kim actually arrived at the venue 7 minutes earlier than Trump to show respect to the later, because their culture states that the young one should arrive earlier than the elder one. The red tie that Trump wears may also show some respect to Kim as well as it's the color that North Koreans like.
Peace
We will solve a big dilemma, says Trump
After the meeting, Trump said he believed he and Kim will "solve a big problem, a big dilemma" and that by working together, they "will get it taken care of". "There will be challenges ahead but we will work with Trump. We overcame all kinds of skepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," Kim responded.
Complete denuclearization
US wants complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of Korean peninsula
On the agenda of the meeting are North Korea's nuclear capabilities which Trump is hoping to convince them to abandon in exchange for economic assistance. On the eve of the summit, the US offered "unique" security guarantees to North Korea in return for a "complete, verifiable and irreversible" denuclearization. The US insists it will accept nothing less than complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.