Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by 2 Norwegian lawmakers following summit with Kim Jong Un

The deadline for 2018's prize passed in January, so this nomination would make US President Donald Trump eligible for 2019. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

OSLO (BLOOMBERG) - US President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in reaching an agreement with North Korea to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

The US leader was nominated by two members of Norway's governing Progress Party, according to state broadcaster NRK.

The deadline for this year's prize passed in January, so this nomination would make him eligible for next year.

It is unclear whether he was nominated for this year's prize, but he was also put forth as a candidate in 2016 and 2017.

Nominations for the world's most coveted prize are open to lawmakers, academics and researchers from around the world.

The Nobel Committee in Oslo typically receives hundreds of nominations each year, and past candidates have also included Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and actress Susan Sarandon. A record 330 people were nominated this year.

While the Norwegian Nobel committee is appointed by Parliament, its decisions are independent.

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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.

Trump's nomination came from two right-wing members of Norway's Progress Party, which advocates for limited immigration and lower taxes.

Lawmakers Per-Willy Amundsen and Christian Tybring-Gjedde told Norwegian news agency NTB on Wednesday that Trump "had taken a huge and important step in the direction of the disarmament, peace and reconciliation between North and South Korea", the Associated Press reported.

"What's going on now is historic," Amundsen told NRK. "A process is underway to ensure world peace in the future. It's a fragile process, but we must of course do what we can to help this process bring good results."

Last year's prize went to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

Past winners include former US president Barack Obama and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

The Nobels in economics, literature, physics and medicine are awarded in Sweden.

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