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'I Hope He Considers Me Friend': Philippines' Duterte Calls Kim Jong-un His Idol

© REUTERS / Bobby YipPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses an event with Filipino community in Hong Kong, China April 12, 2018
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses an event with Filipino community in Hong Kong, China April 12, 2018 - Sputnik International
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Earlier in April, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to cease ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests as well as shut down Pyongyang's nuclear testing facility; his move was universally welcomed throughout the world.

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte called the DPRK's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un his idol after the latter had met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Duterte stressed that their aspiration to cooperate led to the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. 

"You know what, he became my idol," the Philippines' president told reporters after returning to his country from a summit in Singapore, as quoted by The Rappler. Duterte pointed out that North Korea's leader was "the hero of the day."

Duterte welcomed the commitment of the DPRK to continue denuclearization and stressed that he hopes to meet with Kim Jong-un sometime to "congratulate him."

READ MORE: North and South Korea Historic Meeting: The Politics Behind the Summit

"I hope he considers me a friend," the president noted, adding that he is "impressed" with the North Korean leader. 

Previously, the Philippines' Duterte warned that Kim Jong-un, who is "playing with his bombs, his toys," "just might go crazy one moment," as "his mind is not working well."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, South Korea, April 27, 2018 - Sputnik International
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North Korean Leader Promised Not to Use Force, Close Nuclear Test Site - Seoul
The change in rhetoric occurred after April 27, when the first summit in 10 years took place between the two Koreas. The meeting between North Korea's Kim Jong-un and South Korea's Moon Jae-in resulted in a joint declaration of their intention to push for the full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, improve bilateral relations, as well as strive for common prosperity and the peaceful reunification of the two countries.

The historic summit came after Kim Jong-un vowed that North Korea's military would halt nuclear testing and join international efforts on denuclearization. Pyongyang's announcement came after months of rising tensions on the peninsula due to North Korea's nuclear activity.

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