US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have signed what they both characterised as a historic deal following the first-ever meeting between the two leaders, held in Singapore.

Mr Trump told the expectant media the pair had a “great relationship” and a “great time” together, without giving away any detail on their agreement.

Through a translator, Mr Kim said it had been a “historic meeting” and that the two leaders had “decided to leave the past behind”.

“We are about to sign a historic document. The world will see a major change,” Mr Kim said.

“I would like to express my gratitude to President Trump to make this meeting happen. Thank you.”

Zoomed-in photos revealed the document’s four points. Photo: Getty

When asked if Mr Kim had agreed to denuclearise, Mr Trump replied: “We’re starting that process very quickly. Very, very quickly. Absolutely.”

Photos of the signed agreement revealed it contained four points:

• A commitment to new relations between the two nations
• A commitment to “join their efforts to build a lasting and stable peace” on the Korean peninsula
• A commitment by North Korea to “work toward” denuclearisation
• The recovery of the remains of lost soldiers and prisoners of war

“A lot of goodwill went into this, a lot of work, a lot of preparation. I want to thank everybody on both sides,” Mr Trump said.

The document was signed at Singapore’s Capella hotel after a working lunch aimed at discussing ways to end the nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula.

Before the signing, the two leaders strolled in a courtyard flanked by palm trees and tall grass before briefly talking with reporters.

Should the pair have succeeded in a diplomatic breakthrough, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of North-East Asia.

The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, which claimed millions of military and civilian lives, was concluded only with a truce.

-with agencies