US, DPRK leaders begin summit in Hanoi

US President Donald Trump (L) and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un (Source: VNA)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./.

VNA