Trump–Kim summit: A world-renowned meeting with interesting details

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Editor’s note: This article is translated from an editorial piece originally published in the Wechat official account of Bullpiano.

Finally, the historic moment came!

At 9:00 a.m. local time in Singapore on the morning of June 12, 2018, Trump shook hands with Kim Jong Un for the first time.

From unthinkable just a few months ago to reality. Trump and Kim meet in Singapore for a landmark summit that could potentially spell historic peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Trump was dressed in a suit with a red tie and kept his suit open, while Kim Jong Un was wearing a black dress and black-rimmed glasses, feeling a bit more intellectual.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) meets US President Donald Trump (R) at the Capella Hotel on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo.

On the television screen, Kim Jong Un first appeared from the left and Trump made appearances from the right later. The two walked in front of the national flags of both countries and began to shake hands tightly. Probably held for 10 seconds, two people's hands still shake up and down several times.

It feels like Trump is careful, and Kim Jong Un also quickly entered the state, showing an iconic smile, very bright.

Trump pats Kim Jong Un from time to time to guide the direction. At a turning point, Kim Jong Un did not seem to know the specific direction, or would like to wait for the older Trump, and looked around. Trump immediately seized the opportunity, patting the shoulders of Kim, pointing him direction.

Diplomacy is no small matter, one action, one eye, or one word, all convey a meaningful signal.

The motorcade of DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un departs the Capella hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo.

Both Trump and Kim are apprehensive

Although both Trump and Kim have seen various big scenes, after all, this is the first time for the old rivals to meet. You know that just a few months ago, the two world leaders still accused each other with harsh words. Therefore, during this handshake, although their faces are still smiling, some small gestures are still showing their nerves.

At least when they first started to sit, both of their hands were crossed. After a few words of greeting, Kim Jong Un separated his two hands and placed his right hand on a chair, while Trump has always crossed his hands to form a diamond. These are sighs of tension.

Both Trump and Kim are optimistic

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

North Korea's (DPRK's) leader Kim Jong Un is seen next to U.S. President Donald Trump before their expanded bilateral meeting at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo.

As a response, Kim answered that: "While there was a lot we did to get here, the past felt liked feathers on our limbs and the old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward but we overcame all of them and we are here today."

Kim’s words had won a thumbs-up from Trump. Both of them are telling their prospects, and this process for their meeting is indeed not easy.

For general meetings, leaders will arrive at the meeting place one day in advance. However, both Trump and Kim Jong Un had arrived in Singapore on June 10. It’s very interesting to find that the two people were in close proximity but they did not meet on June 11.

South Korean activists march with placards showing DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, US President Donald Trump and President Moon Jae-in during a rally demanding a peace treaty between DPRK and the US near the US embassy in Seoul on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo.

A new era has begun

Trump was very excited. When he just got off the plane in Singapore, he wrote on Twitter: “Great to be in Singapore, excitement in the air.” Indeed, this is a meeting full of twists and turns. Trump kept changing his attitude, which reflected that he was very much looking forward to the meeting.

He wanted to replicate the miracle of Nixon's visit to China. He even wanted to win the Nobel Prize. For Kim Jong Un, this will undoubtedly become a historic moment. In fact, every step he has made becomes a new history of the country. For example, in Singapore, he took the first selfie of his life on Monday and it can be sure that he will be more relaxed in the future.

June 12, 2018, is destined to be a historic day. Hope the two capricious leaders will reach a substantive agreement.