North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump shake hands as they meet for the second time in Hanoi on February 27. Photo by Reuters
The two leaders met at 6.30pm at the Metropole Hotel and had a short press briefing, then a 20-minute discussion before having a private dinner.
Speaking with reporters in Hanoi, the US President 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.
The two leaders have a 20-minute discussion. Photo by Reuters
Beginning the discussion, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said they had been able to overcome all the obstacles to be here today. But he also emphasised the need for patience.
For his part, US President Trump said it was an honour to be with Chairman Kim in Hanoi. He said he was very pleased with the first summit.
"Some people would like to see it go quicker, but I was very happy with how we are doing," Trump said. "We’ve made a lot of progress, the biggest progress is that our relationship is really a good one.”
The US president said he hoped the second summit will be “equal or greater”, while saying he had high hopes for North Korea's economic success. "I think you will have a tremendous future for your country, you’re a great leader," President Trump told Chairman Kim. "We will help it to happen."
After a 20-minute discussion, the two leaders had dinner together at the hotel.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump have dinner in Hanoi on February 27. Photo by Reuters
Security is tightened around the hotel during the two leaders' meeting.
