N. Korea, US officials try to narrow differences
> Trump stays positive on eve of summit
SINGAPORE: US President Donald Trump said yesterday his historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore could “work out very nicely” as officials from both countries met to narrow differences on how to end a nuclear stand-off on the Korean peninsula.
Kim and Trump arrived in the city-state on Sunday for the first ever face-to-face meeting by heads of two nations that have been enemies since the 1950s Korean War.
With gaps remaining over what denuclearisation would entail, officials from both sides held talks to push the agenda forward ahead of today’s summit.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement the meetings were “substantive and detailed” but there was no immediate word on the outcome.
Trump sounded a positive note in a lunch meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
“We’ve got a very interesting meeting in particular tomorrow, and I just think it’s going to work out very nicely,” he said.
He also told Lee: “We appreciate your hospitality and professionalism and friendship ... You’re my friend.”
Lobster bisque, beef tenderloin and ice cream were on the lunch menu, and there was also an early birthday cake for Trump, who turns 72 on Thursday.
Kim remained ensconced in the heavily guarded St Regis Hotel where he is staying. There was also no sign of his sister, Kim Yo Jong, who has accompanied him to Singapore.
Some people were grumbling in the wealthy city-state because of the traffic jams caused by the summit and the cost of hosting two leaders with massive security needs.
Lee has said the summit would cost Singapore about S$20 million (RM60 million), more than half of which would go on security.
“Thanks PM Lee for spending S$20 million of taxpayers money, which can ... help a lot of needy families in Singapore to survive,” posted one Facebook user.
Others complained about the jams in downtown Singapore. Lee said the cost was worthwhile. “It is our contribution to an international endeavour which is in our profound interest,” he told reporters on Sunday. – Reuters