Trump, Kim Share Historic Handshake In Singapore, Begin Meeting

SINGAPORE — President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a historic first-of-its kind meeting between leaders of the rival countries Tuesday morning in Singapore. Trump and Kim shook hands just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, The New York Times reported. Trump even placed a hand on Kim’s shoulder as cameras snapped photos of the greeting.

The two then went into a meeting accompanied by their interpreters.

The White House has said discussions between the U.S. and North Korea progressed "more quickly than expected." The face-to-face sit-down will be followed by a “working lunch” with other officials, including National Security Adviser John Bolton, POLITICO reported.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the U.S. will offer Kim "different” and “unique” security assurances, regarding America's position on whether to seek a regime change. In return, POLITICO reported, North Korea would have to completely end its nuclear program and be able to prove it.

Trump and Kim arrived in Singapore on Sunday ahead of the summit. At issue for the U.S. is the rogue country's nuclear weapons program. Trump has said he felt "very good," prior to the meeting, The Associated Press reported.

Kim has remarked about what's at stake.

“The entire world is watching the historic summit between (North Korea) and the United States of America, and thanks to your sincere efforts ... we were able to complete the preparations for the historic summit,” a smiling Kim told Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong through an interpreter.

Trump in late May seemingly canceled the planned summit in a letter to Kim. The president wrote that he "greatly" appreciated Kim's "time, patience, and effort" regarding recent negotiations on the summit, but said Kim's recent hostility made Trump rethink the sit-down.

"I was very much looking forward to being there with you," wrote Trump. "Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."

Axios reported Sunday that Trump is open to the idea of establishing official relations with North Korea — and maybe even putting an embassy in Pyongyang.

"It would all depend what he gets in return, "a source close to the White House told the news outlet. "Denuclearization would have to be happening."

Photo credit: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images