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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, and American President Donald Trump shake hands at Capella Hotel in Singapore, Tuesday. / Yonhap |
By Choi Ha-young
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made another impressive appearance before the world, this time with his greeting message in English, at the momentous summit with American President Donald Trump held on Sentosa Island, Singapore, Tuesday.
Both leaders shook hands and officially began the first summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea, decades-long mortal enemies.
Kim reportedly greeted Trump in English, saying "Nice to meet you, Mr. President," as they sat down after the historic handshake. Kim, who spent his childhood in Switzerland, can speak and understand English, but this was the first time for outsiders to see him use the language.
Through the series of summits, aimed at the exchange of the North's denuclearization and security guarantee, Kim has renewed perceptions about himself — obviously to be recognized as a leader of a normal state rather than a "dictator." When he met South Korean President Moon Jae-in, April 27, South Koreans burst into laughter over Kim's jokes.
The first-ever summit between the American president and North Korean leader came only months after their fierce exchanges. When the tension peaked over the Pacific Ocean last year, they lashed out at each other with sharply worded verbal attacks. Shaking hands against a backdrop of the national flags of the two countries, the two leaders talked briefly. But the exact wording was not recorded clearly, making it difficult to figure out what they said to each other.
Along with the historic handshake, they shared some welcoming gestures. Trump tapped Kim on the shoulder and they smiled. Afterward, they posed for a photograph. Trump then directed Kim to walk down a hallway.
Kim arrived at the summit venue at 8:12 a.m. (local time) a few minutes earlier than President Trump. Stony-faced Kim, wearing his iconic Mao suit, got out of his car, holding his glasses and a briefcase.
Trump also showed up with a fixed expression on his face.
At 9:10 a.m., they moved to a room for the one-on-one summit. Walking together, they shared a few words and the two translators followed them apparently to interpret what they were saying.
The first round of the meeting lasted for about 45 minutes and was only joined by the two translators. Speaking with reporters beforehand, Trump revealed his positive prospects of the summit.
"I feel really great. We are going to have a great discussion and I think tremendous success. We will be tremendously successful. And it's my honor and we will have a terrific relationship. I have no doubt," said Trump.
Kim spoke in Korean. "It was not easy to get here. The past worked as fetters on our limbs, and 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, saying "That's true." The American leader reached out his hand to Kim for a handshake. Before the talks turned closed-door, Kim and Trump said "Thank you" to reporters.
