US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have officially signed…聽something. And they did so with聽a roomful聽of reporters watching.
Following a working lunch between the US and North Korean delegations, Trump and Kim Jong Un emerged in聽the courtyard of the Capella Hotel to speak to the press.
According to Trump, who did most of the talking, the talks went 鈥渂etter than anybody could have expected,” and 鈥渁 lot of progress鈥 was made. He then said that they were going to head for a signing of some sort, without providing further details.
Trump and Kim walk and talk after lunch. Trump says they鈥檙e signing something.
鈥 Jim Acosta (@Acosta)
About 1:35pm, the leaders were back聽in front of the press to publicly sign a set of documents as promised. At this point in time, what exactly was signed remains maddeningly聽vague, thought聽Kim assured reporters that 鈥渢he world will see a major change.” According to Trump, it鈥檚 a 鈥渧ery important鈥 and 鈥減retty comprehensive鈥 document.
“I learned that he’s a talented man who loves his country very much,” Trump said of Kim later on.
Perhaps providing some hint as to the contents of those documents,聽an anonymous US official who spoke to 聽in the summit’s fourth hour said that the leaders would聽be signing a document that acknowledges that progress has been made, and one that pledges to keep the momentum for talks going. In other words, we probably shouldn’t hold our breath for a truly momentous announcement. Today’s聽meeting would seem to be聽an introductory gathering, presumably the first of many to come between Trump and Kim.
HISTORY IN MAKING? Pool reporters about to witness Trump and Kim sign an agreement.
John Bolton and Chief Kelly in the room, arranged with two chairs and two pens.
鈥 Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs)
While some might聽perceive today’s landmark summit as a glorified photo op, nobody could argue against the fact that a thaw of some sort — even if a minor one — seems to have been achieved in聽US-North Korea relations.
“What you want in diplomacy is, you want to earn the right to proceed. So at least you鈥檙e in the game there, and the game is you can keep gaining yards on each play,” stated former US ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin in an interview with 黑料社 Singapore.
Initially scheduled to leave for home on a 2pm flight at Changi Airport, it looks like Kim will be running a bit late.聽Kim has already left Sentosa for The St. Regis while Trump will be holding a press conference at 2:30pm before leaving straight for Paya Lebar Airbase to catch a flight to Washington聽at 7pm.
