Now that the euphoria over the summit between the US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore has dissipated, the real work begins on understanding exactly what the two agreed and what the consequences are when it comes to term “denuclearisation”. Both the US and North Korea have an agreement on a broad range of issues, but there is little clarity on whether Pyongyang’s disarmament would be verified.

It is worth remembering that while the meeting of Kim and Trump was historic in that it was the first in modern history and certainly opened a new chapter in their personal relationships — the US president did invite Kim to the White House at some point down the road — both countries have reached a similar deal in the past where Pyongyang agreed to denuclearisation. That was a deal reached in 2005 with Kim’s father but ultimately came to naught.

While Pyongyang has said it has agreed to denuclearisation now, just what exactly is meant by that term, and how will it be verified? While the need for answers may have irked the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, those questions remain pertinent despite the brotherly affection on display between Kim and Trump. Yes, Pyongyang has destroyed its main nuclear testing facility and brought in the world’s press to witness it, but that still falls short of providing hard answers to how many weapons it possesses, what are their power, how effective is the guidance and targeting systems on its ballistic missiles, and how long does it take for any missile to be fuelled and prepared for launch?

For President Trump, too, given his concerns over Iran and its potential to use its nuclear programme for non-peaceful purposes, just what exactly, if anything, has North Korea shared with the regime in Tehran? Certainly, Iran’s missile programme has improved leaps and bounds in recent years at a time when it was under international sanctions — and what role does Pyongyang have to play in that?

Arms controls experts have looked at the language of the agreement between Kim and Trump and found it wanting, leaving the issue of independent verification and unfettered access unresolved. That’s not helpful, particularly given that Pyongyang’s proven and consistent track record is being inconsistent and patently devious. If nothing else, at least the White House administration says the tough sanctions will remain in place — as they ought — until Pyongyang has fully denuclearised.