Trump-Kim Summit: International reaction to the historic meeting

World
Europe

02:19

As people worldwide witnessed the historic handshake between Trump and Kim, world leaders applauded the outcome of the landmark summit. Jim Spellman reports on the reaction around the globe.

It started with a handshake. Then came global reaction to the historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

ROK President Moon Jae In watched the meeting unfold from Seoul.

MOON JAE-IN SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT "I, along with all our people, sincerely hope that it will be a successful summit that will open a new era of complete denuclearization, peace and a new relationship between South Korea, the DPRK and the United States."

In the DPRK, news of the summit was carried on television, and in newspapers. At the Demilitarized Zone along the border with South Korea, one soldier preps for a new era.

HWANG MYONG JIN LIEUTENANT COLONEL, DPRK ARMY "Our republic has been squeezed in between the great powers in the past. But today, we are showing our dignity as an independent nation in front of the whole world."

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "The fact that the leaders from the US and DPRK are sitting down and having an equal-footed dialogue, this in itself is of a great significance and a historic moment. China of course welcomes such a development because this has been an objective we have been looking forward to and have worked towards over the years."

Russia's foreign ministry released a statement supporting President Trump's move to stop U.S.-ROK military exercises in the region:

"We are convinced that the termination of provocative actions is an important step towards reduction of tensions around the peninsula and creation of confidence there."

The European Union says the talks are a positive sign.

FEDERICA MOGHERINI EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF "Today's summit between the two proves that diplomacy and dialogue are always the way forward."

In the U.S., Korean-Americans stayed up late watching the summit unfold.

JOON BANG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KOREAN AMERICAN COALITION "As symbolic and as historic and as amazing as this visual is, we also recognize that a lot of work needs to be done. So we're hopeful and I think, after all this, I don't know, I'm almost speechless. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."