Guam Gov, Eddie Calvo meet up with President Trump at
Andersen Air Force Base on Wednesday morning.
Photo courtesy of Gov. Eddie Calvo via Twitter
Guam officials lauded the peace agreement reached between President Trump and North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un at the concluded historic summit in Singapore.
Guam’s Delegate to Congress, Madeleine Bordallo, however, said she was disappointed that the agreement did not address North Korea’s horrific human rights violations.
“Last week, I joined Republican and Democratic Members of Congress to urge the President to include concessions from North Korea for these atrocities,” Bordallo said. “Many North Koreans have suffered horrifically under the Kim regime, and the United States should seek to end this oppressive treatment. I am also concerned with the President’s statement that the U.S. would withdraw our service members from South Korea, which has been an important deterrent to aggression in the region.”
Kim on Tuesday agreed to wind down his nuclear programs provided the U.S. promised not to attack his country. The pact is touted to end years of instability in Korea and the Pacific region.
Trump stopped over at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam after the Singapore summit, on the way back to Washington D.C. Gov, Eddie Calvo posted a picture of him standing next to Trump on his Twitter page, with a comment that read: "Thanks for stopping by President Trump! God bless you as you continue your work to bring peace to the Asia Pacific region. I hope the First Lady likes the scapular. Safe travels as you make your way back home!"
In a press release on Tuesday, Calvo said the Singapore agreement "paves the way for peace between the U.S. and North Korea and moves us toward the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Calvo said. “The territory of Guam is thankful to our President and his stance on peace through strength policy which elevated peace within the Asia Pacific region — this is something we truly are grateful.”
In 2013 and again last year, Guam was the target of North Korea’s missile threats.
“The people of Guam know war. Our people – thousands upon thousands of civilians – suffered and died during World War II. We’ve experienced war,” Calvo said. “Today, the promise of peace in the region draws closer, and we can breathe easier.”
Despite her disappointment with the non-discussion of human rights, Bordallo said she welcomed the talks between Trump and Kim Jong-un and the progress toward a diplomatic denuclearization of North Korea.
“The agreement reached yesterday is a broad framework and a step toward securing peace on the Korean peninsula. The President should now detail to the American people and international community how his Administration will verify North Korea’s compliance,” Bordallo said.
“As talks with the Kim regime continue, it is my hope the Administration will work with Congress to bring a complete and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. I am ready to support efforts that will enhance our security, recover the remains of American POW/MIA service members, and bolster peace in our region,” Bordallo said.