The two world leaders who were enagaged in a bitter Twitter fight in the past are now exhibiting mutual respect. Image from Singapore Summit
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited US President Donald Trump to Pyongyang, the state media KCNA reported, adding that the US president has accepted the invitation. In a radical switchover in the relations between the US and North Korea, Trump today said that his summit with Kim helped world avoid 'nuclear catastrophe'.
"The World has taken a big step back from potential Nuclear catastrophe! No more rocket launches, nuclear testing or research! The hostages are back home with their families. Thank you to Chairman Kim, our day together was historic!," he tweeted after getting back home from the hectic Singapore summit.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US president thanked Kim Jong-un for taking the "first bold step" towards a bright new future for his people and said the North Korean leader holds the opportunity to be remembered as one who ushered in a glorious new era of security and prosperity for his citizens.
Kim yesterday pledged to work toward the "complete denuclearisation" in return for security guarantees from the US as Trump wrapped up his historic summit with outcomes that could ease tensions and reshape the geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific region.
"I want to thank Chairman Kim for taking the first bold step toward a bright new future for his people. Our unprecedented meeting the first between an American President and a leader of North Korea proves that real change is possible!" Trump said in a tweet aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington DC.
In Singapore yesterday, Trump held an epoch-making summit with Kim, the first-ever between the leaders of the two countries. After the meeting, North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear weapons and achieve a denuclearised Korean peninsula.
"There is no limit to what NoKo (North Korea) can achieve when it gives up its nuclear weapons and embraces commerce & engagement with the world. Chairman Kim has before him the opportunity to be remembered as the leader who ushered in a glorious new era of security & prosperity for his citizens!" Trump said in another tweet.
Trump described his Singapore trip as a "truly amazing" visit.
"Great progress was made on the denuclearization of North Korea. Hostages are back home, will be getting the remains of our great heroes back to their families, no missiles shot, no research happening, sites closing...," he said.
"Got along great with Kim Jong-un who wants to see wonderful things for his country. As I said earlier today: Anyone can make war, but only the most courageous can make peace!" Trump said in another tweet to his more than 52.7 million followers.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headed for Seoul and then to Beijing to brief South Korean and Chinese counterparts on the just concluded summit meeting between Trump and Kim. Soon after the Singapore meeting concluded, he called his counterparts in South Korea and Japan to provide a brief readout of the talks.
(WIth inputs from PTI)
