When United States President Donald Trump arrived in Singapore on Sunday (June 10) for his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, he acknowledged that he was heading into “unknown territory”.

The outcome after the landmark talks on Tuesday set down a marker for what looks like a long and demanding journey ahead to peace on the Korean peninsula.

Analysts noted that the onus on North Korea was lighter than expected. There was no mention of CVID or “complete verifiable, irreversible denuclearisation” that was part of the early US demands.

Moreover, Pyongyang was merely “committed to” working towards that goal, Mr Shawn Ho, an associate research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told The Straits Times.

“It would appear that North Korea has gained much more, especially in terms of reshaping its international image, from this summit than what the US has gained,” he added.