The two leaders agreed to "work towards" denuclearisation of North Korea. Photo: Getty
US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have signed what they both characterised as a historic deal following the first-ever meeting between the two leaders, held in Singapore.
Mr Trump told the expectant media the pair had a “great relationship” and a “great time” together, without giving away any detail on their agreement.
Through a translator, Mr Kim said it had been a “historic meeting” and that the two leaders had “decided to leave the past behind”.
“We are about to sign a historic document. The world will see a major change,” Mr Kim said.
“I would like to express my gratitude to President Trump to make this meeting happen. Thank you.”
Zoomed-in photos revealed the document’s four points. Photo: Getty
When asked if Mr Kim had agreed to denuclearise, Mr Trump replied: “We’re starting that process very quickly. Very, very quickly. Absolutely.”
Photos of the signed agreement revealed it contained four points:
“A lot of goodwill went into this, a lot of work, a lot of preparation. I want to thank everybody on both sides,” Mr Trump said.
The document was signed at Singapore’s Capella hotel after a working lunch aimed at discussing ways to end the nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula.
Before the signing, the two leaders strolled in a courtyard flanked by palm trees and tall grass before briefly talking with reporters.
Should the pair have succeeded in a diplomatic breakthrough, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of North-East Asia.
The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, which claimed millions of military and civilian lives, was concluded only with a truce.
-with agencies