Singapore, Jun 9 : It is “all systems go” for the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Singapore is ensuring that there would be no last-minute spoilers or difficulties for the historic meeting, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan today.
Balakrishnan, who visited the US and North Korea in the last five days to prepare for the June 12 summit, said that there was sincerity and desire from both the United States and North Korea for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“I have met both sides, I see sincerity on both sides, I see a desire, a willingness to escape the constraints that have applied for the last seven decades. So, with goodwill and creativity, let’s see what they come up with,” The Straits Times quoted the Indian-origin Singaporean minister as saying.
Preparations are underway in Singapore for the historic summit.
Speaking to Singapore reporters in Beijing after visiting Pyongyang, Balakrishnan said, “Basically I went there to make sure everything was spick and span, and in place, and that there would be no last-minute spoilers or difficulties.”
“Both the US and North Korea expressed their appreciation to Singapore for its efforts, especially for getting things ready in quite a short time, and the meticulous attention to detail,” said Dr Balakrishnan.
“I’m glad to say that as of now it’s all systems go, both the Americans as well as the North Koreans are pleased with the arrangements. We are all set to go and things will start happening within the next 24 hours,” he said.
Trump and Kim will meet on Sentosa, a smaller island off the coast of Singapore’s main island. The 12 summit would represent the first ever meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting US president.
Trump has said one possible outcome of the summit is an agreement with North Korea to declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War. The two Koreas remain technically at war as the conflict ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
In Pyongyang, Balakrishnan held talks with his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho and met the country’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam.
He met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton during his visit to Washington earlier this week.
