US President Trump makes historic step into North Korea

Trump, pressing his bid for a legacy-defining accord, became the first sitting American leader to walk with Kim into North Korea.

The meeting, another historic first in the yearlong rapprochement between the two technically warring nations, marks a return to face-to-face contact between the leaders since talks broke down during a summit in Vietnam in February. Trump announced after the meeting that the two nations had agreed to resume discussions in the coming weeks. But significant doubts remain about the future of the negotiations and the North’s willingness to give up its stockpile of nuclear weapons, AP said.

Trump’s brief crossing into North Korean territory marked the latest milestone in two years of roller-coaster diplomacy between the two nations, as personal taunts of “Little Rocket Man” and threats to destroy the other have been ushered out by on-again, off-again talks, professions of love and flowery letters.

“I was proud to step over the line,” Trump told Kim as they met in a building known as “Freedom House” on the South Korean side of the truce village of Panmunjom. “It is a great day for the world.” AP reported.

Kim hailed the moment, saying of Trump, “I believe this is an expression of his willingness to eliminate all the unfortunate past and open a new future.” He added that he was “surprised” when Trump invited to meet by a tweet on Saturday, according to AP.