In a historic event on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump will meet North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore.
When the two meet on Tuesday at Sentosa, a resort island off Singapore’s port with a Universal Studios theme park and man-made beaches, they will be making history. Enemies since the 1950-53 Korean War, leaders of North Korea and the United States have never met previously — or even spoken on the telephone.
Final preparations on
Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim spent Monday huddling with advisers in luxury Singapore hotels less than half a mile apart, readying for a nuclear summit that could define the fate of millions, and their own political futures.
Both sides also worked to finalize preparations for the unprecedented summit.
The meeting is kicking off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday with a handshake between Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim. A U.S. official says the leaders then plan to meet one on one, joined only by translators, for up to two hours before admitting their respective advisers.
Arrival in Singapore
Mr. Kim arrived at Singapore’s Changi Airport after his longest trip overseas as head of state, wearing his trademark dark “Mao suit” and distinctive high cut hairstyle. Arriving on a plane loaned by China, he was also greeted by Mr. Balakrishnan.
Travelling with Mr. Kim were top officials including Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho and Kim Yong-chol, a close aide of Mr. Kim who has been instrumental in the diplomacy that culminates in Tuesday’s summit.
Kim Yo-jong, Mr. Kim’s younger sister, was also spotted in his delegation. She emerged as an influential figure in Pyongyang’s opaque leadership in February, when she led a North Korean delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Officials who arrived with Mr. Trump include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.