Trump’s nuke-clear thumbs-up

Singapore, June 13

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday pledged to work toward the “complete denuclearisation” in return for security guarantees from the US as Donald Trump wrapped up his historic summit with outcomes that could ease tensions and reshape the geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific region.
“Yesterday’s conflict does not have to be tomorrow’s war,” the US President said, following more than four hours of intense talks with Kim, which he described as “honest, direct and productive”. Trump said Kim “reaffirmed” his commitment to denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and also agreed to destroy a missile engine test site.
“We are ready to write a new chapter,” Trump told reporters after the summit — the first between a sitting US President and North Korea’s top leader. Trump, however, said the sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear tests will remain for now.
Trump and Kim conducted a comprehensive, in-depth, and sincere exchange of opinions on the issues related to the establishment of new relations between the two countries and the building of a lasting and robust peace regime on the Korean peninsula, according to a joint statement.
The document was signed after the two leaders had a one-on-one meeting, with translators only, followed by an expanded meeting and a working lunch at Capella Singapore hotel in Sentosa Island after months of diplomatic twists and turns.
In response to a question about denuclearisation, Trump said, “We’re starting that process… very quickly.”
Trump said he was very proud of what took place on Tuesday and the two leaders would “take care of a very dangerous problem for the world”. The 71-year-old said he has developed a “very special bond” with 34-year-old Kim. Trump said Kim is “a very talented man” and he will invite him to the White House at the “appropriate time”.
Kim was asked at least three times if he would give up his nuclear weapons. In response, he just smiled. “There will be challenges but we will work with Trump. We overcame all kinds of scepticism about this summit and I believe this is good for peace,” Kim said.