Moon says Singapore summit will rid world of nuclear and missile threats

By Park Sae-jin Posted : June 14, 2018, 13:29 Updated : June 14, 2018, 13:29

[Yonhap Photo]


SEOUL --  South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the results of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a great achievement that would rid the world of nuclear and ballistic threats.

Moon's comment came at talks with U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who visited Seoul to give South Korean officials a full account of what was discussed at the summit in Singapore.

"There are mixed evaluations of what was achieved at the summit. What is more important, however, and extremely valuable is that the world, including the United States, Japan and China, will no longer be put under nuclear and long-range missile threats," Moon said.

"I believe this alone makes the summit a meaningful development," the South Korean leader said, adding the summit opened doors for a new era of peace and mutual prosperity.

Pompeo said the inter-Korean summit in April laid a solid foundation for talks between Trump and Kim, according to pools reports. "I think that we took an important first step forward through talks in Singapore, and we will be able to work together to bring better results," he was quoted as saying.

In Washington, Trump said the world should feel safer as North Korea no longer poses a nuclear threat. "There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea," he tweeted after returning home.

When Trump and Kim issued a joint statement after talks in Singapore, many observers and analysts flocked to social media with criticism that the statement lacked specifics on denuclearization.

Trump defended the summit by tweeting "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."

Kim wanted to "see wonderful things for his country", Trump said, concluding his tweet with "As I said earlier today: Anyone can make war, but only the most courageous can make peace!"

In later postings, Trump reassured supporters, saying the first meeting between U.S. and North Korean leaders proved "real change is possible." "The World has taken a big step back from potential Nuclear catastrophe! No more rocket launches, nuclear testing or research!"

 
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