Washington, Jun 30 (IANS): US President Donald Trump and his visiting South Korean counterpart held "frank and "serious" discussions on a wide range of issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula, including Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats, the media reported.
During their first-ever talks on Thursday night, the two leaders agreed to further develop their countries' alliance, vowing to denuclearise North Korea and establish peace on the peninsula based on their alliance, Yoon Young-chan, the chief press secretary of South Korea's presidential office, said.
The preview to the leaders' official summit was held over a dinner hosted by Trump and his wife, Melania, at the White House for the visiting South Korean leader and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, reports Yonhap news Agency.
"Discussions between the two heads of state were very frank and serious, and many issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula were discussed," Yoon told a press briefing.
"The leaders of the two countries agreed to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and ensure the countries' economic development based on a strong Korea-US alliance," he said.
Ahead of the dinner, Trump said: "We're going to have tremendous discussions tonight".
"I know you've been discussing with our people some of the complexities of North Korea and trade and other things, and we'll be discussing them all," the US President added.
President Moon highlighted the importance of the alliance, writing "Korea-US alliance: a great journey towards peace and prosperity" in the White House visitor log upon his arrival at the US presidential office.
The dinner marked the first ever meeting of the two leaders, held on the eve of their official bilateral talks that were widely expected to focus on ways to strengthen the countries' alliance and contain provocative North Korea.