PM Lee congratulates US, North Korean leaders on successful summit

SINGAPORE — In separate letters to the leaders of the United States and North Korea, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated both on the “successful conclusion of a historic summit meeting” on Tuesday (June 12).

In his letters, Mr Lee wished the US and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea success in implementing the joint statement signed.

Singapore is honoured to have hosted the meeting and joins the international community in celebrating the outcome, wrote Mr Lee. “It is a crucial first move in the long journey towards lasting peace and stability on a denuclearised Korean peninsula.”

At the summit at Sentosa’s Capella hotel, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a joint statement for the US to provide security guarantees while North Korea commits to complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

Posting on Facebook on Tuesday evening, Mr Lee said the leaders’ joint statement would benefit the region and rest of the world.

He also thanked Singapore’s servicemen, public officers and others who worked on the summit. “You did an outstanding job, making sure each component of the summit was well taken care of. Thanks also to Singaporeans for showing the world what we can do,” Mr Lee wrote.

Mr Trump and Mr Kim had complimented Singapore when they met Mr Lee separately at the Istana.

Singapore’s role in hosting a historic US-North Korea summit would be recorded in history if it is successful, Mr Kim Jong-un had said on Sunday as he thanked Singapore and Mr Lee for "sincere efforts" in hosting the event.

Mr Trump said the US appreciates Singapore’s hospitality, professionalism and friendship. He is due to make another trip here in November, in conjunction with the 6th Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean)-US Summit and 13th East Asia Summit.