US President Donald Trump met with North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the two Korean countries on Sunday.
The two leaders crossed over from their respective side to shake hands, with Trump going over to the North Korean side of the border and Kim joining Trump and South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the Southern side.
This is the first time that an incumbent US President has stepped on North Korean soil, a fact that Kim himself told Trump as the latter crossed over into DPRK territory. "It's good to see you again. I didn't expect to meet you at this place," Kim was reported as saying in English.
Trump, Kim and Moon later entered the 'Freedom House' for talks. The leaders sat down at a table in front of their respective flags and addressed the media.
Kim Jong-Un said, "I believe that meeting here, which is a symbol of division and a hostile past, I think meeting here, two countries that have a hostile past, we are showcasing to the world that we have a new present and we have a positive meeting going forward."
He added, "The great relationship between President Trump and I, I don't think if we didn't have such a great relationship we could have organised this meeting in just a day. I would like to use this strong relationship to create more good news that nobody expects."
Kim Jong-Un said that "it would be an honour" if Trump were to visit Pyongyang, adding that he was surprised when Trump extended the desire to meet.
Trump later addressed the press, thanking Kim for inviting him over the border. "Thank you for asking me to step over that line. I didn't know if you were going to ask me to do that, I thought you might, but I was ready to do that if you asked."
"You hear that voice, no one hears this voice, he doesn't do press conferences... if he didn't show up the press was going to make me look very bad," Trump said.
Exchanging handshakes and pleasantries, the two leaders then left. The meeting was quick and hastily-arranged, with little scope for long talks. Trump had expressed his desire to meet with Kim just one day in advance of the meeting.
Just ten days earlier, Chinese premier Xi Jinping had flown into Pyongyang for a two-day trip, where he is believed to have negotiated with the DPRK to recommence its talks on denuclearization.
In April, North Korea had tested short-range missiles into the ocean, in a move that signalled the state's growing impatience over stalled talks and ongoing sanctions.
Prior to the meeting, Trump toured the DMZ, which features many observation posts where past US Presidents watched the North Korean border with binoculars. "There was great conflict here prior to our meeting in Singapore... After our first summit, all of the danger went away... It's all working out, it always works out" Trump said, as reported by AFP.
He said he had a very good relationship with Kim. "We’ve developed a very good relationship and we understand each other very well. I do believe he understands me, and I think I maybe understand him, and sometimes that can lead to very good things."
Earlier in the day, Trump used the opportunity to mock former US President Barack Obama, who he says begged for a meeting with Kim but never received one.
"The Obama administration was begging for a meeting, there were begging for meetings constantly, and Chairman Kim would not meet him," Trump was reported as saying.
Trump's daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were reportedly also present at the meeting.