North Korea says still open to talks after Trump-Kim summit canceled
President Trump arrived here Sunday night ahead of a potentially historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first meeting between the leaders of two countries that have been sworn enemies for almost seven decades.
The Washington Post reports that Air Force One touched down with little fanfare at Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore, landing a few hours after Kim arrived in the island state. Trump waved as he stepped off the presidential aircraft, briefly greeted Singaporean officials on the tarmac and quickly climbed into a limousine to head to his hotel for the evening.
Asked upon his arrival how he was feeling about the summit, Trump told reporters, “Very good.”
Trump and Kim are scheduled to meet face to face Tuesday morning, and they will see if they can forge some kind of agreement on North Korea’s nuclear program.
Trump was upbeat as he departed Canada on Saturday for his day-long journey halfway around the globe, which included a refueling stop on the Greek island of Crete. The president told reporters he would rely on his intuition to size up Kim’s intentions regarding a deal to abandon his nuclear arsenal.
“Within the first minute, I’ll know,” he said. “My touch, my feel — that’s what I do.”
Kim and Trump are to meet at the Capella hotel on the resort island of Sentosa, usually better known for hosting Singapore’s Universal Studios amusement park.
Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, welcomed Kim and his entourage to the Istana, his palatial office, for talks laying the groundwork for Tuesday’s summit. Trump is due to meet with Lee on Monday.
“From our point of view, it’s important that the meeting take place and that the meeting sets developments on a new trajectory — one that will be conducive to the security and stability of the region,” Lee told reporters here.
Video broadcast by the prime minister’s office showed Kim and Lee shaking hands and posing for photos. Kim could then be seen introducing Lee to his senior officials, while his sister and close aide, Kim Yo Jong, could be seen in the background.
