Chairman of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump met in Hanoi on February 27, marking the beginning of the second DPRK-USA summit.

US President Donald Trump and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un began their second summit at Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi downtown at 6:30pm on February 27 (local time). 

During their greeting before the 20-minute talks, President Trump expressed his belief that the summit will be very successful, equal to or even better than their first in Singapore. 

He said the DPRK holds great economic potential and wished to witness their achievements. He also pledged to support the Asian country to reap them. 

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un said he had expected the second meeting with the US President and vowed to do his best for the event. He firmly believed that the Hanoi meeting will bring about positive results. 

After the talks, they are due to have dinner with the participation of their assistants, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, DRPK senior envoy Kim Yong-chul and Foreign Minister Ro Yong-hol. 

The White House said that the two leaders will conduct a series of meetings on February 28. 

Since the first summit in Singapore eight months ago, both the US and the DPRK have taken several steps to settle their contradictions that last for decades. Several points in the joint statement on June 12, 2018 have been realised such as the search and hand-over of remains of prisoners of war and personnel missing in action during the war. 

According to experts, the two leaders will discuss DPRK’s specific steps for the denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula and Washington’s measures to loosen sanctions against DPRK and improve bilateral ties during the summit.

The DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam is considered an important political and diplomatic event of Vietnam in 2019, reflecting Vietnam’s policy of being a friend and reliable partner of the international community.

Through the summit, Vietnam wishes to prove itself as a reliable partner, and safe and friendly destination for a sustainable peace.

US, DPRK leaders have dinner following talks

US President Donald Trump (R) and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un have dinner together at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel following their meeting on February 27

US President Donald Trump and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un had dinner together at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel following their meeting on February 27. 

Speaking to the media, President Trump said his relationship with Kim has progressed since their first summit in Singapore in June 2018, adding that both sides will do their best to settle the problem of denuclearisation and turn the DPRK into an economic powerhouse. 

DPRK leader Kim, for his part, said the two sides were very patient to hold the event and he will exert his utmost efforts to bring about results that are welcomed by the public. 

In response to the meeting, the Presidential Office of the Republic of Korea (RoK) said the same day that any progress in Hanoi meeting will be a positive development. 

Kim Eui-kyeom, spokesperson of RoK President Moon Jae-in, said it cannot be thought that only a big deal reached through the meeting means success, but a small also does.

US President affirms to persist with denuclearisation

US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with DPRK leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi on February 27 

US President Donald Trump on February 27 affirmed that he will not turn his back on the denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking with reporters in Hanoi, he expressed his hope that his second meeting with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un will be very successful, and stressed that he will not turn his back on the target of denuclearisation.

Responding to the question inquiring whether both sides will ink an official statement to declare the end to the Korean War during the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam, he said the answer will be known later. 

For his part, the DPRK leader said he had overcome many obstacles to go to the second meeting with the US President and maintained the necessary patience since after their first meeting in Singapore in June last year. He also voiced his hope that the meeting will reap successful results.

Aside from the denuclearisation issue, the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam is expected to open up a new opportunity to loosen the sanctions and foster the DPRK’s economy. 

DPRK leader lauds conversation with US President

DPRK leader Kim Jong-un (L) and US President Donald Trump in their dinner at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel on February 27 

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong-un said he had an interesting conversation with US President Donald Trump which came before their dinner at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel on February 27. 

Earlier, the leader lauded the US President for having a brave decision to initiate the US-DPRK summit, adding that he has striven and been patient more than ever to make the summit happen. 

Kim expressed his wish for a declaration ending the Korean War to be issued and said that in exchange for this, he will shut down the Yongbyon nuclear complex.

According to experts, a declaration on ending the war will be the first significant step towards replacing the war-ending agreement with a peace agreement.

For his part, President Trump said a press conference will be held on February 28 following their summit, a day which he said will be very busy with discussions on a number of issues. 

Following their first summit in June 2018 in Singapore, the second is expected to devise specific measures towards denuclearisation, thus maintaining everlasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and the region.

VNA/VNN