The world doubted it could be done. President Donald J. Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un have just signed an agreement that they claim sets out a vision for the future in which North Korea can become a full and active member of the international society. The leaders have stated that both sides will be “very happy” with their “comprehensive” agreement.
The Key Points
The key statements of intent by President Trump and Chairman Kim include:
1. The United States and the DPRK commit to establish new U.S.-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 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.
The Mood
After signing the agreement – both men looking very proud of themselves – Trump said that “We had a terrific day and we learned a lot about each other and our countries.” And when asked specifically what he had learned about Kim, the president replied, “I learned he’s a very talented man and I also learned he loves his country very much.”
Chairman Kim appeared in a positive mood, saying that the two nations had “left the past behind,” and that:
“The world will see a major change… I would like to express my gratitude to President Trump to make this meeting happen.”
The Historic Day
The day began with an almost surreal image of Kim and Trump shaking hands in front of N.K. and U.S. flags, perhaps best described by Kim himself who said:
“Many people in the world will think of this as a form of fantasy from a science fiction movie.”
The leaders first took part in a one on one session (including interpreters) where they got to know each other on a personal level. It is in this situation that Trump feels he best operates, stating before the historic meeting that he would be able to judge if denuclearization were truly on the table almost instantly, “I think within the first minute, I’ll know.” He continued:
“Just my touch, my feel, that’s what I do… How long will it take to figure out if they’re serious? You know, the way they say you know if you’re going to like somebody in the first five seconds, you ever hear that one? I think very quickly I’ll know whether or not something good is going to happen.”
Apparently, the meeting went well, and Trump did not feel compelled to “politely walk away.”
Echoes of the Past
This meeting has an aura of Reagan and Gorbachev’s 1987 Washington summit at which the leaders finally agreed to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, essentially bringing an end to the Cold War in practice. The ups and downs that saw President Reagan walk out of the Reykjavík Summit in 1986, the previous year, are a clear echo of the turbulent few months that lead to this meeting in Singapore.
At the time, few grasped the significance of what had happened. Yes, it was seen as a positive step, but many repeated Reagan’s words in expressing doubt “Dovyerai no provyerai” – Trust, but verify.
Could the same be said of this Singapore Summit? Have Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un just pulled off the greatest advancement to world peace in the last 30 years? Time will tell.
Editor – Full details of the newly signed agreement will be released later today. Check back in with LibertyNation.com to get the scoop and analysis.
