Trump, Kim praise historic summit

US President Donald Trump and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong-un praised their historic summit on Tuesday in Singapore, which is aimed at achieving peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

A document signed after the summit by the two leaders affirmed Kim's commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and Trump's commitment to provide security guarantees to the DPRK.

The document also stated that the US and the DPRK commit to establish new relations and build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

"We are prepared to start a new history and we are ready to write a new chapter between our nations," Trump told a press conference after the summit, in a speech that was full of lofty words and self-complacency.

"People thought this could never take place. It is now taking place. It's a very great day and it's a very great moment in the history of the world," he said.

Recalling the Korean War from 1950-1953, Trump said that "now we can all have hope that it will end soon.

"The past does not have to define the future… History has proven over and over again that adversaries can indeed become friends," Trump said.

Kim, speaking Korean, said after the signing ceremony that "we have a historic meeting, and decide to leave the past behind."

"The world will see a major change," said Kim, who left Singapore in the afternoon after the document was signed.

Before his private session with Trump in the morning, Kim said, "the way to come to here was not easy ... The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward but we overcame all of them and we are here today."

Trump, who is scheduled to leave in the evening around 8 pm, said the two sides have agreed to vigorous negotiation for the implementation of the agreement as soon as possible. He said that sanctions will remain until nukes are no longer a factor.

Trump indicated that at an appropriate time he is looking forward to visiting Pyongyang and inviting Kim to visit the White House.

The US president also praised the role China and President Xi Jinping have played.

The document stated the US and DPRK have committed to establishing new relations in accordance with the desire of the peoples of the two countries for peace and prosperity.

The US and the DPRK will join efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, according to the document.

The two sides also reaffirmed the Panmunjom Declaration on April 27, where the DPRK committed to work toward complete denuclearization of the peninsula.

According to the document, the two sides have also committed to recovering POW/MIA remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified.

Trump told the press that the summit went better than anybody had predicted, adding that the US relations with DPRK will be very different and the situation on the Korean Peninsula will be very different.

"Both sides will be very impressed with the results," Trump said.

Asked if the denuclearization will start, Trump said "we will start that process very, quickly, very very quickly."

The two leaders started their historic summit on Tuesday morning at the Capella hotel in Sentosa on an optimistic note.

China hopes the meeting between Washington and Pyongyang will result in substantive steps toward denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

It is important and positive for the top leaders of the two countries to sit down and conduct equal talks , which is creating a new history, Wang said. China welcomes and supports the meeting and hopes the two leaders will avoid disruptions, build mutual trust and overcome difficulties, he said.

China is willing to see all relevant parties make efforts toward denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula, he said, adding that China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.

Right after they sat down in the Capella hotel for the one-on-one session, Trump said the summit will be a tremendous success, adding "we will have a terrific relationship, no doubt".

"The way to come to here was not easy," Kim said. "The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward but we overcame all of them and we are here today."

Trump replied, "That's great."