At last! After months or tension, uncertainties and equivocation, the much anticipated, historic meeting between President Donald Trump of the United States and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has began.
It began with a handshake at a luxury hotel in Singapore’s Sentosa Island.
For the first time in many years, this would be the first sitting US president and North Korean leader would hold.
The phrase that is expected to take centre stage at this August meeting is ‘denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.’
Of course, North Korea’s total nuclear disarmament is equally on the table.
Analysts are, however, split on what the meeting will achieve.
Some see it as propaganda win for Mr. Kim, others a path to peace.
There are still those who believe that Mr. Kim has come to the realisation that US holds the key to delivering his country from the economic crunch his totalitarian regime has brought on it over the years and is ready to jettison that and embrace a more cordial and economically rewarding relationship with the world giant.
Read also: PHOTOS OF THE DAY: Trump, Kim in each other’s company
Mr. Kim runs a totalitarian regime with extreme censorship and forced-labour camps.
The two leaders on arrival at their meeting venue walked towards each other and firmly gripped each other’s hands in front of US and North Korean flags.
In brief initial comments in front of the press, the US president predicted a “terrific relationship” with Mr. Kim.
“I feel really great. We’re going to have a great discussion and will be tremendously successful,” the US president said.
Sitting alongside each other, the pair appeared relaxed, against the odds.
The convivial display marks a dramatic breakthrough in relations between the pair, who less than a year ago, exchanged fiery insults and threats of war.
“It was not easy to get here….There were obstacles but we overcame them to be here,” Mr. Kim said.
After their one-to-one meeting, with translators, which lasted about 40 minutes, according to reports, the leaders were then joined by advisors for a working lunch.
The momentous event carries great potential prestige for each leader – but also, in the long run, a possibly catastrophic loss of face, reports say.
For the moment Mr. Trump will credit any successful outcome of talks to his “maximum pressure” campaign on North Korea, that tightened economic sanctions and threatened military action.
Many believe that no matter what is achieved this will be the narrative.
For Mr. Kim, securing a stage with the US leader is seen as a victory in itself, something which neither his father or grandfather could achieve.
Such a meeting has long been seen as a prize in the eyes of North Korea for the legitimacy it would confer on its leader.
For decades, North Korea has been a pariah state, and now its latest hereditary leader is being treated as a world statesman.
Last year, it would have been a rare sight to see a North Korean flag flying anywhere in Asia.
On the eve of the summit, Mr. Kim toured Singapore’s tourist sites, waving to excited crowds and snapped a selfie with the city state’s foreign minister.
Tuesday’s front page of North Korea’s official newspaper featured the extraordinary scenes on display in Singapore, offering many in the country and unprecedented glimpse of their leader in a setting utterly at odds with their daily life.
The US wants North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons in an irreversible manner that can be verified by the international community.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US would only accept “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation” but would offer “unique” security guarantees.
