Donald Trump Is The First U.S. President To Step On North Korean Soil
Donald Trump has become the first sitting U.S. president to cross into North Korea after he met Kim Jong Un in the demilitarized zone.
CNN is reporting that Trump first met the North Korean leader at the border between the two Koreas and then stepped over the line, walking 20 steps into North Korea. Trump and Kim Jong Un are now said to be talking. When the two leaders met in the DMZ, Kim told Trump that he’d be making history.
“If you step over this line you will be the first US president to step on North Korean soil,” he said.
Trump then stepped over the line, and Kim made a pronouncement that history had been made.
“President Donald Trump has just walked across the demarcation line. That has made him the first US President to visit our country. Actually just looking at this action, this is an expression of his willingness to eliminate all the unfortunate past and open a new future.”
Trump responded saying he was “proud to step over the line” into North Korea, and proud to take the next step in their relationship. The president thanked the North Korean leader for accepting his invitation.
“When I put out the social media notification, if he didn’t show up, the press was going to make me look very bad.”
Trump becomes the first sitting president to step foot into North Korea after he crosses border of demilitarized zone with Kim https://t.co/7cDpBaX47L
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 30, 2019
Trump explained to Kim that the fact that both leaders showed up makes it look good for everyone.
“This could be a very historic moment and I guess that’s what it is. I think the relationship that we’ve developed has meant so much to so many people.”
The two men are currently having a private bilateral meeting behind closed doors. Before heading into the meeting, the North Korean leader said that he was pleased and surprised to receive the invitation from President Trump, explaining that he wanted to meet with him again.
Trump seemed pleased by this statement and thanked Kim again, calling this “a special meeting.”
CNN shared that soon after the nearly hour-long meeting with Kim and the president of South Korea, Trump waved and then departed the country, concluding his four-day tour of Asia. The president’s stop at the DMZ left the trip 90 minutes behind schedule, and so Air Force One left Osan Air Base at 6:09 a.m. ET.
As expected, Trump then tweeted about his experience and his meeting with the two Korean leaders.
“Leaving South Korea after a wonderful meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un. Stood on the soil of North Korea, an important statement for all, and a great honor!”
