Historic U.S.–North Korea summit
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History made
Read the U.S.-North Korea joint statement
The U.S.–North Korea summit — the first in history — marked an epochal event in the two countries’ history. President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un took steps to overcome decades of tensions and open up a new future of peace, prosperity and security for the Korean Peninsula and the world.
“We’re very proud of what took place today,” President Trump said at the June 12 signing ceremony for a joint statement between the two countries. “A lot of goodwill went into this, a lot of work, a lot of preparation. I want to thank everybody on both sides. Secretary [Mike] Pompeo and all of his counterparts, they were absolutely fantastic.”
Walking a new path
The two leaders met one-on-one before their delegations joined them for a meeting. They signed a joint statement in which President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to North Korea, and Kim reaffirmed his commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Working together
“I know that we will have tremendous success together, and we will solve a big problem, a big dilemma that, until this point, has been unable to be solved. I know that, working together, we will get it taken care of,” President Trump said.
Update from Singapore
“The ultimate objective we seek from diplomacy with North Korea has not changed,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a June 11 press briefing in Singapore ahead of the scheduled summit between U.S. President Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
“The complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is the only outcome that the United States will accept,” the secretary said.
Trump prepares for meeting with North Korean leader
“The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula would usher in a new era of prosperity, security and peace for all Koreans — North and South — and for people everywhere,” President Trump said in a June 7 press conference after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe at the White House.
On June 12, Trump will meet North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at a hotel on Singapore’s Sentosa Island. The location has been secured for the two leaders’ arrival.
At the June 7 press conference, President Trump thanked Prime Minister Abe, saying, “Our partnership has been invaluable in reaching this important moment, and we will continue to be in close communication in the weeks ahead.” Trump also thanked South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in for his help.
In a briefing at the White House later that day, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “President Trump is hopeful, but he’s also going into this summit with his eyes wide open.”
“We’ve seen how many inadequate agreements have been struck in the past. And you can be sure that President Trump will not stand for a bad deal,” the secretary said.
Pompeo said that throughout the process, the United States has been unified with Japan and South Korea in response to the threats from North Korea. He said he believes North Korea shares a more positive vision for the future.
“We’re looking forward to being in Singapore in just a few days,” Pompeo said.
Timeline of U.S.–North Korea diplomatic history
(© AP Images)
