SINGAPORE — President Trump and Kim Jong Un signed a joint statement on Tuesday following a series of historic meetings, after which the North Korean leader said they had “decided to leave the past behind.”
[READ: Here’s the full text of ‘historic’ document Trump, Kim signed at North Korea summit]
“We’ve developed a very special bond,” Trump said at a signing ceremony with Kim. “It’s going to be a much different relationship than we’ve had in the past.”
Photographs of the document showed both leaders agreeing “to work toward complete denuclearization” and “the building of a lasting and robust peace regime on the Korean peninsula.”
“President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to the DPRK, and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization,” the text read.
Trump described the document as “comprehensive” and “very important” during the ceremony with Kim, though neither leader explicitly referenced denuclearization in their remarks. The declaration also said North Korea committed “to recovering POW/MIA remains” and immediately returning those already identified.
Tuesday’s signing ceremony took place after Trump and Kim concluded a working lunch with top U.S. and North Korean officials. Both sides emphasized their positive interactions throughout Tuesday’s summit during remarks following the lunch.
“We had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind,” Kim said, claiming “the world will see a major change” in the coming months.
He added: “I would like to express my gratitude to President Trump to make this meeting happen.”
Trump said the outcome of his meetings with Kim would “lead to more and more” as his administration expects to continue its dialogue with Pyongyang once both leaders return home.
The president spent several minutes alone with Kim prior to their signing ceremony. They were seen strolling throughout the grounds of the Capella Hotel, and Trump even took time to show the reclusive leader the inside of his presidential limousine.
But the “special bond” they established was evidently not enough for North Korean officials to trust the U.S. delegation entirely. An aide to Kim was seen using latex gloves to inspect the pens that would be used during Tuesday’s signing ceremony.
Following their document signing, Trump told reporters he found his North Korean counterpart to be “a very worthy, very smart negotiator.”
“We had a terrific day and we learned that he’s a very talented man. I also learned that he loves his country very much,” the president said, adding that Kim has “a great personality and [is] very smart – good combination.”
Kim departed the summit site at around 2 p.m. Tuesday, just as hundreds of journalists were shuttled over for a late afternoon press conference with Trump.
The president is expected to disclose further details about his joint statement with Kim during remarks to reporters. He will then participate in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity prior to departing for Washington Tuesday night.
