Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

DONALD TRUMP

- BY CHRISTOPHE­R BUCKTIN US Editor in Singapore

DONALD Trump and Kim Jong-un were less than 10 minutes from each other last night on the brink of their historic nuclear summit.

They were making last-minute preparatio­ns for tomorrow’s face-to-face meeting in Singapore.

They are due to thrash out America’s demand for North Korea to ditch its atomic weapons programme.

Kim flew in ahead of the US President – accompanie­d by two decoy jets.

Trump touched down six hours later at the Paya Lebar Air Base on board Air Force One.

Last night, they were at luxury hotels less than 10 minutes wa lk apart.

The President has said he will quickly tell if his “mission of peace” will be a success. He told reporters at the G7 summit before leaving Canada: “I think within the first minute I’ll know. Just my touch, my feel. That’s what I do.”

He added: “And if I think it won’t happen – I’m not going to waste my time. I don’t want to waste his time.

“You don’t know. This has not been done before at this level. This is a leader who really is an unknown personalit­y.”

North Korea’s jets flew from Pyongyang – changing flight numbers en route to Singapore – amid fears that the North Korean dictator could be assassinat­ed while abroad.

Shortly after landing, a motorcade with as many as 35 vehicles including local police escort motorcycle­s, left Changi Airport’s VIP complex.

The convoy headed for St Regis Hotel where Kim, in his trademark Mao Suit with buttoned-up jacket, is staying with his delegation. At least seven bodyguards, dressed in suits and blue ties, waited at the entrance of the hotel as the motorcade arrived, and were later seen jogging by one of the black Mercedes Benz cars, which drove into the car park.

It is not certain Kim was in the car as he fears being assassinat­ed and is well known to use body doubles.

He later held brief talks with Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong.

Meanwhile, Trump waved from the top of the steps of Air Force One before being welcomed by Singapore VIPS. Asked how he was feeling about the

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