Trump-Kim summit: Joint statement a crucial first move towards peace, stability on Korean Peninsula, says PM Lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visiting the Singapore Armed Forces troops deployed at Palawan Kidz City on Sentosa, for the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on June 10, 2018. ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO

SINGAPORE - The joint statement signed by United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday (June 12) is a dramatic step forward, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in letters to both leaders.

"It is a crucial first move in the long journey towards lasting peace and stability on a denuclearised Korean Peninsula," said Mr Lee, congratulating both Mr Trump and Mr Kim on the successful conclusion of a historic summit.

Mr Trump and Mr Kim had a 41-minute one-on-one meeting at the luxury Capella Singapore hotel on Tuesday morning, followed by an extended bilateral meeting which included delegations from both sides and a working lunch.

The two leaders then inked a joint statement capping their talks earlier in the day.

In it, Mr Trump "committed to provide security guarantees" to North Korea, and Mr Kim "reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula", though no clear timeline was given.

PM Lee said Singapore is honoured to have hosted the summit, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

"We join the international community in celebrating this outcome, and in wishing both the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and the US success in implementing this agreement," he wrote.

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US President Donald Trump said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave his "unwavering commitment" to work towards denuclearisation during their summit. He noted that sanctions would not be lifted until complete denuclearisation happens.

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to welcoming Mr Trump again in November for his state visit, which will be in conjunction with the 6th Asean-US Summit and 13th East Asia Summit.

In his letter to Mr Kim, he said that he hoped the North Korean leader had enjoyed his stay in Singapore, including his walk at Marina Bay on Monday evening, and that he looked forward to meeting him again in the near future.

Mr Lee also thanked all public officers and national servicemen who worked on the summit in a Facebook post.

"You did an outstanding job, making sure each component of the Summit was well taken care of," he wrote. "Thanks also to Singaporeans for showing the world what we can do."

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