Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to today’s peace summit between Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Trump.

Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:

“Today’s summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un is a very positive development. At a time of escalating militarisation and increasingly dangerous policy developments – the US’s new nuclear posture review and recent strategic defence review to name but two – an outbreak of dialogue in an exceptionally tense region is a welcome step.

“Some take the view that the summit statement says nothing new, but the key is that the summit took place. Just months ago we were looking at the possibility of nuclear war. Today the world has pulled back from the brink. Only cynics would think that a negligible achievement.

“The statement itself crucially recognises both sides’ primary concerns. Trump has committed to providing security guarantees to Pyongyang, and Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Beyond the formal texts, subsequent remarks may help to make the good intentions real: Trump says he will halt his provocative ‘war games’ – exercises that include flying nuclear capable bombers close to North Korea’s border. And Kim says North Korea will destroy nuclear test centres, so both sides are contributing to denuclearisation.

“These are small steps but much to be welcomed as the peninsula moves towards bringing a formal end to the Korean war and embracing more peaceful future”.