Jong-un thanks Hsien Loong for hosting summit

SINGAPORE: The republic’s role in hosting a historic United States-North Korea summit would be recorded in history if it is successful, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said yesterday as he thanked Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the “sincere efforts” in helping to host the event.

Jong-un met Lee at the Istana shortly after arriving in Singapore yesterday.

“The entire world is focusing on the historic summit, thanks to your sincere efforts,” said Jongun.

Lee thanked Jong-un for making the rare foreign trip and said Singapore had been following developments on the Korean peninsula for a long time.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said following the meeting: “Prime Minister Lee complimented the bold and admirable decision by Chairman Kim and President of the United States Donald Trump to come together for this summit... and expressed hope that the US-North Korea meeting will advance the prospects for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and the larger region.”

About half an hour after he landed at Changi Airport, Jongun’s motorcade departed from the airport at 3.05pm for the St Regis hotel where his delegation is staying.

The historic summit will take place at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa. The two leaders are expected to discuss efforts to end Pyongyang’s nuclear-weapons programme.