History was made in Singapore at 9:05am today when US President Donald Trump shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The leaders of two nations that have long been at odds were all smiles at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa as they posed for pictures and exchanged pleasantries before heading into a private one-on-one meeting, the first-ever between a sitting US president and his North Korean counterpart.
Speaking at a sit-down photo op, Trump said to Kim “We will have a terrific relationship, I have no doubt.” On his end, Kim spoke through a translator, saying that it “was not easy to get here.” A reference, we assume, to the metaphorical path to the meeting rather than his flight.
“The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward but we overcame them and we are here today,” Kim added.
The face-to-face chat (with their respective interpreters, of course) ended at 9:51am and the expanded bilateral summit went into full swing. On their way to joining their delegations, an upbeat Trump said “Very, very good. Excellent relationship,” when asked about how things were going.
After their one-on-one talks, Pres Trump and Kim Jong-un joined their delegation members for an expanded bilateral. On the brief walk there, Trump asked how things were going: ““Very, very good. Excellent relationship.” pic.twitter.com/9ogX38B1DB
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 12, 2018
Kim is well aware of how surreal the whole thing is, observing that there are “people who will think this is a science fiction movie.”
Sci-Fi Summit? At the end of their brief balcony colonnade photo op, Kim Jong-un heard to observe to @POTUS via translator: “many people who will think this as a science fiction movie.” (Forbidden Planet?) pic.twitter.com/6SgzcADUvM
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 12, 2018
The summit has so far seemingly gone off without a hitch, even after passing the two-hour mark at 11:05am. By that point in time, Kim noted that he would be willing to work in close cooperation with Trump, even though it will be challenging, reported The Straits Times.
Bilateral meeting with respective delegations underway now! History in the making. #SingaporeSummit pic.twitter.com/sERzLnWcsP
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) June 12, 2018
As the scheduled time for the bilateral talks to end loomed closer, the menu for their working lunch was revealed — a mix of Western and Asian cuisine. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like any Singaporean dishes made the cut. What’s with the Tropézienne, though?
The White House released the menu for today’s working luncheon — prawns, avocado salad, beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork, and Häagen Dazs ice cream for dessert🍨: pic.twitter.com/ylAKMlG5z2
— Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) June 12, 2018
With the bilateral meeting extended by about 20 minutes, the delegation only began adjourning for the working lunch at 11:50am, the first time the two leaders will have broken bread together. The meal would have to be quick though if Kim is to make it for his scheduled flight back home at 2pm.
At the start of the lunch, Trump said this to the media: “Getting a good picture everybody? So we look nice and handsome and thin? Perfect”.
Working lunch at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island underway…#SingaporeSummit #TrumpKimSummit pic.twitter.com/JxiRz92Tj3
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) June 12, 2018
Trump, on the other hand, is expected to hold a press conference about the meeting with his North Korean counterpart at 4pm today before leaving for Washington sometime tonight.
