SINGAPORE: Singapore’s role in hosting a historic US-North Korea summit will be recorded in history if it is successful, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said on Sunday as he thanked Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the "sincere efforts" in helping to host the event.
Kim and his delegation met Lee at the Istana shortly after arriving in Singapore on Sunday. "The entire world is focusing on the historic summit, thanks to your sincere efforts," the North Korean leader said through an interpreter.
Sunday's meeting marked the first time Lee and Kim have met, according to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Lee in turn thanked Kim for making the rare foreign trip and said Singapore has been following developments on the Korean peninsula for a long time.
MFA said in a statement following the meeting: "Prime Minister Lee complimented the bold and admirable decision by Chairman Kim and President of the United States Donald Trump to come together for this Summit...and expressed hope that the US-North Korea meeting will advance the prospects for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the larger region."
Kim arrived in Singapore on Sunday afternoon amid a media frenzy and heightened security. He is due to meet Trump on Tuesday to discuss North Korea's nuclear programme.
About half an hour after he landed at Changi Airport, Kim's motorcade departed from the airport's VIP Complex at about 3.05pm for the St Regis Singapore hotel on Tanglin Road, where his delegation is staying.
His motorcade comprised 46 vehicles, including cars, vans and police vehicles. – TODAY ONLINE
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