North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has affirmed his readiness for denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula at the second North Korea-US Summit in Hanoi.
Speaking with the media at a break during the one-hour extended meeting with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi on Thursday morning, Kim said that if he was not ready for the denuclearisation, he would not have been here today."
US President Trump said that he highly appreciated Kim's affirmation and said that was the best answer he has ever heard."
Trump also said that they had a very successful discussion and North Korea could have a much brighter future.
When being asked whether the US is going to open a liaison office in Pyongyang, leader Kim said that he absolutely welcomed this idea.Speaking after an expanded meeting between the DPRK and US delegations in Hanoi on February 28 morning, Kim stressed that if he is not ready to do that, he will not be here at this moment.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump on Thursday morning continued the second day of the North Korea-US Summit with expectation of some major developments, including the signing of a joint statement.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump attend the second day of the DPRK-USA Summit on February 28. Photo by Reuters
The two leaders had a press briefing right after arriving at the Metropole Hotel at 9am, before having a 30-minute closed-door meeting.
Speaking with the media, the US leader said that he had great respect for the North Korean leader and his country.
“I have been saying very much from the beginning that speed is not important to me. What’s important is we do the right deal,” Trump said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that they would sit together and have a constructive dialogue and he would do his best to bring about a positive result today.
“It’s too early to tell but I wouldn’t say that I’m pessimistic," Kim said. "For what I feel right now, I do have a feeling that good results will come out.”
After the closed-door meeting, the North Korean and US leaders took a stroll around the hotel's garden before attending an extended meeting which is expected to last one hour.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump walk around a garden of the Metropole Hotel after a meeting in Hanoi on February 28. Photo by Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee Kim Yong Chol were present besides the two countries' leaders to prepare for the meeting.
The North Korean leader's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong was also present at the area. She has been seen in all foreign trips by the North Korean leader since last year. Photo by Reuters
US National Security Advisor John Bolton and White Hous Press Secretary Sarah Sanders were also present
After taking a walk together, the two leaders attended an expanded meeting with members of the two delegations.
North Korean and US delegations attend an extended meeting in Hanoi on February 28. Photo by Reuters
According to the US’s White House, the leaders are scheduled to have lunch together at 11:55pm, before holding a joint statement signing ceremony which is scheduled to take place at 2:05pm.
A news conference on the summit’s results will be held on 3:30pm the same day.
The two leaders had the first meeting at the Metropole Hotel on the evening of February 27 when they had a private dinner after a 20-minute closed-door discussion.
Beginning the first discussion on Wednesday evening, 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."
Aside from the denuclearisation issue, the second North Korea - US Summit is expected to open up a new opportunity to loosen the sanctions and foster the North Korean economy.
