North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has pledged to disarm his nuclear arsenal and US President Donald Trump has given security guarantees in a joint statement at the end of a historic meeting in Singapore.
The pair shook hands at a luxury hotel on Singapore's Sentosa island before proceeding to talks. After the summit the leaders signed a “comprehensive” document, promising a new relationship between the nations.
Pope Francis' ambassador to Korea today described the talks as "truly historic". A "very important" new page has been turned, Archbishop Alfred Xuereb, apostolic nuncio to South Korea and Mongolia, told Vatican News.
"It marks the beginning of a still long and arduous journey, but we are hopeful because the start has been very positive, very good," he said.
The document, described by President Trump as “very impressive, commits North Korea to work towards “the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula” and promises “new relations” between Washington and Pyongyang.
The communique also promises joint “efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime”, and to recover the bodies of US servicemen who died in the Korean War. It does not state timings, or concrete steps, for removing Pyongyang’s ballistic nuclear missiles.
Just before the two men signed the statement, Mr Kim said: “We had a historic meeting. We have decided to leave the past behind, and we are about to sign a historic document. The world will see a major change.”
Mr Trump told journalists after the meeting that it went “better than anyone could imagine”. He described M Kim as “a very talented man” adding that he would “absolutely” be happy to invite him to the White House.
The Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said it welcomed the developments in Singapore.
Martin Birdseye, Co-Chair of Christian CND said: “We support all diplomatic moves which make a nuclear war less likely. There is clearly a long way to go in this process before the Korean peninsula can be free of nuclear weapons. We look forward not only to that day, but to the renewed sense of hope such an achievement will give the other nuclear-states. It is vital that meaningful discussions on nuclear disarmament now begin among the other eight states who possess nuclear arms”.
Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for the success of the summit, saying he hoped it would lead to lasting peace. After praying the Angelus with an estimated 20,000 people in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said he wanted to convey “a special thought to the beloved Korean people”, and he asked the crowd to pray the “Hail Mary” so that “Our Lady, Queen of Korea, may accompany these talks”.
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