President Trump stepped over the border into North Korea for a historic handshake at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas on Sunday.
Why it matters: This is be the first time a U.S. president and North Korean leader have met at the DMZ. Kim called it a historic moment and praised Trump's "very courageous and determined act," according to Los Angeles Times reporter Eli Stokols. Trump said, "Stepping across that line is a great honor."
BREAKING: President Trump meets Kim Jong Un in the DMZ. https://t.co/FtT6leBRIX pic.twitter.com/ZJ1QI9snYg
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 30, 2019
The latest: South Korean President Moon Jae-in joined Trump inside the South Korean side of the border, pool reporters' images show.
- Trump told reporters traveling with him at the DMZ "used to be very very dangerous," but it's become safer since he began talks with Kim, per CNN's Will Ripley.
- The president told U.S. troops at the DMZ they're "terrific people," according to CBS News' Mark Knoller.
- The office of the Korean president, The Blue House, quoted first daughter and senior adviser Ivanka Trump as saying "It feels like I'm at a historic event. I'm happy to be able to witness this moment. I hope it leads to positive results, it's an opportunity for North Korea" — according to a translation by the Los Angeles Times' Victoria Kim.
#breaking Surreal moment: Kim Jong Un’s security guards and President Trump‘s secret service agents standing together at the DMZ pic.twitter.com/OJxj971s09
— Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) June 30, 2019
The big picture: Though the meeting occurred at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, Trump said he'd "feel very comfortable" crossing the border to meet with Kim for the handshake.
- Trump tweeted an invitation to Kim earlier, which North Korea called a "very interesting offer.
I am in South Korea now. President Moon and I have “toasted” our new Trade Deal, a far better one for us than that which it replaced. Today I will visit with, and speak to, our Troops - and also go to the the DMZ (long planned). My meeting with President Moon went very well!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2019
Context: If Trump and Kim meet, it would be the third time since Trump took office. The two leaders last sat down together at a summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, where negotiations broke down without an agreement for denuclearization.
This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
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