North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un looks at President Trump as Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong exchanges documents with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Reuters: Trump, Kim agree on denuclearization, but deal seen symbolic
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged on Tuesday to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula while Washington committed to provide security guarantees for its old enemy.
The joint statement signed at the end of their historic summit in Singapore gave few details on how either goal would be achieved but Trump fleshed out some details at a news conference.
“President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to the DPRK and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” said the statement.
DPRK is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the formal name of North Korea.
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WNU Editor: I was hoping that there would be more "meat" in their joint communique .... but when one looks at it very closely ....there is not much there. I am not surprised that President Trump agreed to halt U.S. military exercises with treaty ally South Korea (this could always be restarted in the future), nor am I surprised that North Korea is going to destroy a missile site (they could easily build another one somewhere else). Sanctions are still there, and there is still no real firm roadway for North Korea to denuclearize. But if I look at it as one step among many .... and resign myself to the realization that this is going to take time .... I would then label this summit a success. And if Kim Jong-un keeps to his promises (of which I am still dubious), then we are going in the right direction. Nuclear and missile tests are not going to resume, and tensions between North Korea and the U.S. are better today than at anytime in the past. What is also important in my observation and analysis of this summit is what do North Korea's neighbors think .... and what is their reaction to what happened today. China, Russia, and South Korea are praising this agreement. And even Japan is giving it a "thumbs up" .... World reaction to Trump-Kim declaration (SBS). To me .... their reaction is important. North Korea is their neighbor .... and ultimately their problem.
WNU will be giving a full news wrap-up on this summit .... including commentaries and analysis from the pundits .... later in the day.
