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Press Conference by President Trump: June 12, 2018
Yeah. Go ahead. A couple more. Okay. We'll do three more. Yeah. Go ahead. Go.
Q Brian Bennett from Time Magazine.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Hi, Brian. Am I on the cover again this week? Boy, have I - so many covers.
Q It's entirely possible.
THE PRESIDENT: Huh? I know. That's okay.
Q Do you now see Kim Jong Un as an equal?
THE PRESIDENT: In what way?
Q You just showed a video that showed you and Kim Jong Un on equal footing in discussing the future of -
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think that - I don't view it that way. See, I don't view it that way. I'll do whatever it takes to make the world a safer place. If I have to say I'm sitting on a stage - I mean, I understand what you're getting at. If I have to say I'm sitting on a stage with Chairman Kim and that's going to get us to save 30 million lives - could be more than that - I'm willing to sit on the stage. I'm willing to travel to Singapore very proudly, very gladly.
Again, I - you know, other than the fact that it is taking my time, they have given up a tremendous amount. They've given it up even before. And even add the Olympics to it. You know, you could add the Olympics to the question. They went to the Olympics. They took an Olympics that was going to be a massive failure that maybe wouldn't have even opened, and they made it a tremendous success by agreeing to participate. Add that to the list of things that they've done.
So, Brian, if I can save millions of lives by coming here, sitting down, and establishing a relationship with someone who's a very powerful man, who's got firm control of a country, and that country has very powerful nuclear weapons, it's my honor to do it.
Q Are you concerned that the video you just showed could be used by Kim as propaganda to show him as an equal -
THE PRESIDENT: No, I'm not concerned at all. We can use that video for other countries.
Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, in the year 2000, President Clinton got a request by Kim Jong Il.
THE PRESIDENT: Got impressed?
Q Got a request -
THE PRESIDENT: Oh.
Q From Kim Jong Il to travel to Pyongyang and meet him. And Clinton refused. He sent Secretary of State Albright.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. He did a great deal. And he spent $3 billion and got nothing. And he started making nuclear weapons a day later.
Q Mr. President, you, on the other hand, got the request and right away went here to meet him. And do you understand those people who say that you gave him the ultimate present - the legitimacy to a regime who oppress its people without an ongoing process before you, as the U.S. President, as the leader of the free world, meet and shake hands with this leader of North Korea who is perceived to be oppressing brutally his own people?
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Good. I think we just answered the question.
Q But do you understand those people?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I understand them much better than you do.
Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead. Thank you very much. Yes.
Q Mr. President, Eliana Johnson with Politico.
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. Hi.
Q Hi. You mentioned a couple specific concessions that you got from Kim: the return of remains and the destruction of the nuclear site. And I know you said that was an add-on -
THE PRESIDENT: And much more. And much more than that.
Q Yeah. I know you said the last thing was an add-on and it wasn't in the agreement, but that he gave you his word. If he doesn't follow through on these things, what are you prepared to do in response? And will you lose faith in this process?
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think he'll do it. I really believe that. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing this. I really believe it. And it was really the engine testing site, in addition to all of the other things that they've agreed to do. It was the - they have a very powerful engine testing site that, again, we're able to see because of the heat that it emits. And, yeah, I'm able to - I'm very happy. I'll tell you what - I'm very happy with those two points - the two points you mentioned.
But I think you might be referring to the thing that's not in, which is the engine testing site. I think he's - I think - honestly, I think he's going to do these things. I may be wrong. I mean, I may stand before you in six months and say, "Hey, I was wrong." I don't know that I'll ever admit that, but I'll find some kind of an excuse. (Laughter.)
Okay, one or two. One more. Come on. Yeah, go ahead. Sure.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you.
Q (Inaudible) with Shenzhen Media Group. I just would like to know, will you call Chinese President Xi when you come back to D.C. to discuss about achievements you made today with Chairman Kim?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I will.
Q And what's your expectation about China's role to accelerate the process to establish a long-term peace mechanism?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, my expectation about China is that China is a great country with a great leader, and a friend of mine. And I really believe that he's happy that we've made this kind of progress. And I've heard from him. But I will be calling him very shortly. Maybe even before I land. Okay?
And I have to say, you know - and the United States is a great country. And we have set records economically - over $7 trillion in net worth addition to what we have. And we are almost twice the size, the economy of the United States. Nobody talks about this, because you do hear a lot about China, rightfully so. But the United States, now, is almost twice the size of the economy of China. We have a great country and we're on a correct path.
Okay. One more. That will be it.
Q Mr. President, from South Korea.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, South Korea? Where's South Korea? I think you deserve - go ahead. Go. You deserve one. Yes. You deserve one.
Q I've got two questions for you, Mr. President. First, you mentioned earlier that you're going to talk with South Korean President Moon Jae-in over the phone.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q What do you plan to discuss with him?
THE PRESIDENT: I just want to tell him about the meeting. Very successful. And he'll be very much involved in the final negotiation. He's a very, very fine gentleman. Also a friend of mine. And I look forward to speaking. He'll be very happy when he hears about - I've already sent word to him about what happened. I sent the document to him, actually, and all of the details behind the document. So I'll be talking to him very shortly.
Q If I may ask another question. In signing the peace treaty, do you hope to - do you plan to work this out with North Korea's Chairman Kim only, or what do you think about the involvement of South Korea and China as the signatories?
THE PRESIDENT: I'd like to have them involved also. There's a question as to whether or not we're supposed to or whether or not we legally have to. I don't care. I think it would be great to have China involved and also, of course, South Korea. Okay?
Q Is there a transcript of (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: What?
Q Is there a transcript of (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, do they have a transcript? They probably have a rough transcript, which you can give us, if you have one.
Q So that was recorded?
THE PRESIDENT: No, they didn't record it. I don't think they recorded it. Are there any recordings of it? I wish there were. Because it is interesting stuff.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Say it?
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: I don't. We probably have some notes or something. But they have, actually, detailed notes, I would imagine. But we had a great conversation. It was a very heart-felt conversation.
Q How do you believe (inaudible) verify -
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't have to verify because I have one of the great memories of all time. So I don't have to. Okay? Okay?
Q What about the previous phone calls you had with Kim Jong Un? You had phone calls (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, but I don't want to discuss it. But we did is we've had numerous discussions. We've had very important relationships established at Mike's level and other levels. In fact, a couple of people are here from, as you know, from North Korea. They're in the room. We have a few people in the back also, in the room.
So when we went into this final agreement, very importantly, we really didn't go in cold. We went in with tremendous relationship and tremendous knowledge. And I think that's why we got it done.
So I'm going to head back. I don't know about you folks, but it's been a long time since I've taken it easy. So now we can take it a little bit easy, and then the work begins again. And I appreciate everybody being here. I hope we've answered your questions. And thank you very much. And sort of congratulations to everybody, because this is, really - to me it's a very important event in world history. And to be really true to myself, I have to add, I want to get it completed. "
So Mike, our whole team has to get to work and get it completed. Because otherwise, we've done a good job. But if you don't the ball over the goal line, it doesn't mean enough. Okay?
So thank you, and sort of congratulations to everybody in the room. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. (Applause.)
END • 5:20 P.M. SGT
Go Back
Q Brian Bennett from Time Magazine.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Hi, Brian. Am I on the cover again this week? Boy, have I - so many covers.
Q It's entirely possible.
THE PRESIDENT: Huh? I know. That's okay.
Q Do you now see Kim Jong Un as an equal?
THE PRESIDENT: In what way?
Q You just showed a video that showed you and Kim Jong Un on equal footing in discussing the future of -
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think that - I don't view it that way. See, I don't view it that way. I'll do whatever it takes to make the world a safer place. If I have to say I'm sitting on a stage - I mean, I understand what you're getting at. If I have to say I'm sitting on a stage with Chairman Kim and that's going to get us to save 30 million lives - could be more than that - I'm willing to sit on the stage. I'm willing to travel to Singapore very proudly, very gladly.
Again, I - you know, other than the fact that it is taking my time, they have given up a tremendous amount. They've given it up even before. And even add the Olympics to it. You know, you could add the Olympics to the question. They went to the Olympics. They took an Olympics that was going to be a massive failure that maybe wouldn't have even opened, and they made it a tremendous success by agreeing to participate. Add that to the list of things that they've done.
So, Brian, if I can save millions of lives by coming here, sitting down, and establishing a relationship with someone who's a very powerful man, who's got firm control of a country, and that country has very powerful nuclear weapons, it's my honor to do it.
Q Are you concerned that the video you just showed could be used by Kim as propaganda to show him as an equal -
THE PRESIDENT: No, I'm not concerned at all. We can use that video for other countries.
Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, in the year 2000, President Clinton got a request by Kim Jong Il.
THE PRESIDENT: Got impressed?
Q Got a request -
THE PRESIDENT: Oh.
Q From Kim Jong Il to travel to Pyongyang and meet him. And Clinton refused. He sent Secretary of State Albright.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. He did a great deal. And he spent $3 billion and got nothing. And he started making nuclear weapons a day later.
Q Mr. President, you, on the other hand, got the request and right away went here to meet him. And do you understand those people who say that you gave him the ultimate present - the legitimacy to a regime who oppress its people without an ongoing process before you, as the U.S. President, as the leader of the free world, meet and shake hands with this leader of North Korea who is perceived to be oppressing brutally his own people?
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Good. I think we just answered the question.
Q But do you understand those people?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I understand them much better than you do.
Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead. Thank you very much. Yes.
Q Mr. President, Eliana Johnson with Politico.
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. Hi.
Q Hi. You mentioned a couple specific concessions that you got from Kim: the return of remains and the destruction of the nuclear site. And I know you said that was an add-on -
THE PRESIDENT: And much more. And much more than that.
Q Yeah. I know you said the last thing was an add-on and it wasn't in the agreement, but that he gave you his word. If he doesn't follow through on these things, what are you prepared to do in response? And will you lose faith in this process?
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think he'll do it. I really believe that. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing this. I really believe it. And it was really the engine testing site, in addition to all of the other things that they've agreed to do. It was the - they have a very powerful engine testing site that, again, we're able to see because of the heat that it emits. And, yeah, I'm able to - I'm very happy. I'll tell you what - I'm very happy with those two points - the two points you mentioned.
But I think you might be referring to the thing that's not in, which is the engine testing site. I think he's - I think - honestly, I think he's going to do these things. I may be wrong. I mean, I may stand before you in six months and say, "Hey, I was wrong." I don't know that I'll ever admit that, but I'll find some kind of an excuse. (Laughter.)
Okay, one or two. One more. Come on. Yeah, go ahead. Sure.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you.
Q (Inaudible) with Shenzhen Media Group. I just would like to know, will you call Chinese President Xi when you come back to D.C. to discuss about achievements you made today with Chairman Kim?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I will.
Q And what's your expectation about China's role to accelerate the process to establish a long-term peace mechanism?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, my expectation about China is that China is a great country with a great leader, and a friend of mine. And I really believe that he's happy that we've made this kind of progress. And I've heard from him. But I will be calling him very shortly. Maybe even before I land. Okay?
And I have to say, you know - and the United States is a great country. And we have set records economically - over $7 trillion in net worth addition to what we have. And we are almost twice the size, the economy of the United States. Nobody talks about this, because you do hear a lot about China, rightfully so. But the United States, now, is almost twice the size of the economy of China. We have a great country and we're on a correct path.
Okay. One more. That will be it.
Q Mr. President, from South Korea.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, South Korea? Where's South Korea? I think you deserve - go ahead. Go. You deserve one. Yes. You deserve one.
Q I've got two questions for you, Mr. President. First, you mentioned earlier that you're going to talk with South Korean President Moon Jae-in over the phone.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q What do you plan to discuss with him?
THE PRESIDENT: I just want to tell him about the meeting. Very successful. And he'll be very much involved in the final negotiation. He's a very, very fine gentleman. Also a friend of mine. And I look forward to speaking. He'll be very happy when he hears about - I've already sent word to him about what happened. I sent the document to him, actually, and all of the details behind the document. So I'll be talking to him very shortly.
Q If I may ask another question. In signing the peace treaty, do you hope to - do you plan to work this out with North Korea's Chairman Kim only, or what do you think about the involvement of South Korea and China as the signatories?
THE PRESIDENT: I'd like to have them involved also. There's a question as to whether or not we're supposed to or whether or not we legally have to. I don't care. I think it would be great to have China involved and also, of course, South Korea. Okay?
Q Is there a transcript of (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: What?
Q Is there a transcript of (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, do they have a transcript? They probably have a rough transcript, which you can give us, if you have one.
Q So that was recorded?
THE PRESIDENT: No, they didn't record it. I don't think they recorded it. Are there any recordings of it? I wish there were. Because it is interesting stuff.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Say it?
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: I don't. We probably have some notes or something. But they have, actually, detailed notes, I would imagine. But we had a great conversation. It was a very heart-felt conversation.
Q How do you believe (inaudible) verify -
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't have to verify because I have one of the great memories of all time. So I don't have to. Okay? Okay?
Q What about the previous phone calls you had with Kim Jong Un? You had phone calls (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, but I don't want to discuss it. But we did is we've had numerous discussions. We've had very important relationships established at Mike's level and other levels. In fact, a couple of people are here from, as you know, from North Korea. They're in the room. We have a few people in the back also, in the room.
So when we went into this final agreement, very importantly, we really didn't go in cold. We went in with tremendous relationship and tremendous knowledge. And I think that's why we got it done.
So I'm going to head back. I don't know about you folks, but it's been a long time since I've taken it easy. So now we can take it a little bit easy, and then the work begins again. And I appreciate everybody being here. I hope we've answered your questions. And thank you very much. And sort of congratulations to everybody, because this is, really - to me it's a very important event in world history. And to be really true to myself, I have to add, I want to get it completed. "
So Mike, our whole team has to get to work and get it completed. Because otherwise, we've done a good job. But if you don't the ball over the goal line, it doesn't mean enough. Okay?
So thank you, and sort of congratulations to everybody in the room. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. (Applause.)
END • 5:20 P.M. SGT
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