Trump hails summit with Kim, reveals end to 'war games'

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US President Donald Trump hailed his historic meeting with Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday, telling a news conference that the parties are at "the beginning of an arduous process, our eyes are wide open, but peace is always worth the effort."

Trump, Kim sign 'historic document'

China welcomes Trump-Kim summit

The leaders of the countries signed a joint four-point document earlier in the day which included a commitment to "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" and "security guarantees" from the US.

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

Trump told the media after the summit concluded that Kim had also agreed to destroy a "major" missile testing site, said the US would be "stopping the war games," and reiterated that the sanctions program against Pyongyang would remain in place.

What did Trump tell the media?

Trump said in the news conference on Tuesday afternoon that the DPRK had a "bright future" and revealed he had shown Kim a video illustrating the country's potential, but insisted sanctions would remain in place until "the nukes are no longer a factor."

The US president hailed the DPRK commitment to "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" and said verification processes had been discussed, but conceded that full denuclearization would take "a long time." He added: "We will do it as fast as it can mechanically and physically be done."

Trump added he believed the Korean War "will soon end," saying "the past does not have to define the future, yesterday's conflict does not have to be tomorrow's war."

"We are prepared to start a new history, and are ready to write a new chapter between our nations," the US president said.

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He went on to say that bringing home US troops from the Republic of Korea was an aspiration that would not happen in the short term, but added that "very expensive" and "provocative" military exercises with Seoul would cease.

The US president added that he would both travel to Pyongyang and invite Kim to the White House "at the appropriate time."

Trump also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing him as "a terrific person and a friend of mine and really a great leader of his people," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and ROK President Moon Jae-in for their roles in creating the environment for the summit to take place. He added that he would speak to Xi and Moon shortly.

What did the leaders say?

The agreement was signed after the first meeting between a sitting US president and DPRK leader, an unprecedented event which took place at the Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa island.

Trump called the document "important" and "pretty comprehensive" during the signing ceremony, while Kim described it as "historic."

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un looks at his document at a signing ceremony with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) during their summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

Asked whether the agreement would lead to denuclearization, Trump said "we are starting that process very quickly." Kim pledged to "leave the past behind" and added that "the world will see a major change."

Trump added that he and Kim had developed a "special bond" and will see each other many times in the future.

What's in the document?

The document signed by Trump and Kim featured a US commitment to provide security guarantees to the DPRK and a commitment from Kim to "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

"President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to the DPRK," the document read, "and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

The signatures of US President Donald Trump (L) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) are seen on a document held up by Trump following a signing ceremony during their summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

The document also included the following four points:

1. The United States and the DPRK commit to establish new US-DPRK relations in accordance with the desire of the peoples of the two countries for peace and prosperity.

2. The United States and the DPRK will join their efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

3. Reaffirming the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the DPRK commits to work towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

4. The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains including the immediate repatriation of those already identified.

How did the day play out?

Shortly after 9 a.m. local time, Kim and Trump shook hands in front of the flags of the DPRK and US at the Capella Hotel before sitting down to briefly speak to the press.

"I feel really great," Trump told reporters. "We are going to have a great discussion, and I think tremendous success. It will be tremendously successful and it's my honor, and we will have a terrific relationship I have no doubt."

US President Donald Trump (R) gives a thumbs up as he sits down with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

Kim added: "Well, it was not easy to get here… The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward, but we overcame all of them and we are here today."

After a one-on-one meeting lasting around 40 minutes, the two leaders walked to together to join senior officials for further discussions.

"Of course there are challenges ahead, but I am willing (or ready) to do this," CNN quoted Kim as telling Trump. The US president said, "we will solve this, we will be successful, and I look forward to working on it with you. It will be done."

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) walks with US President Donald Trump (L) during a break in talks at their summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chief of Staff John Kelly and National Security Advisor John Bolton made up Trump’s team. Kim's team comprised former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

A working lunch, involving more officials from both sides, was followed by a walk around the hotel garden after which Trump said the meeting had gone "better than anybody could have expected."

A signing ceremony then took place, with the Trump's 80-minute news conference rounding off the day at 4:00 p.m.

What's next?

No timeline was specified as to the next steps, but Trump said he expected to see Kim many times again and "absolutely" would invite him to the White House and be willing to travel to Pyongyang at some point in the future.

The document stated that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would meet with a high-level DPRK official at the earliest possible date to push ahead with progress made at the summit.

Trump earlier said both men "want to do something, we are both going to do something" and the summit "is going to lead to more and more and more."

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