(VOVWORLD) - The 2nd summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is scheduled to take place in Vietnam at the end of February. The two sides are finalizing preparation for the summit. The world community is hoping for a new chapter of peace on the Korean peninsula.
 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump at the 1st summit in Singapore. (photo: AFP/VNA) |
In his State of the Union address to Congress on February 5, President Trump said he and leader Kim will meet again on February 27 and 28 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The significance of the 2nd US-North Korea summit
The 1st US-North Korea summit in Singapore on June 12, 2018, resulted in the signing of a joint statement. US President Donald Trump promised to provide security guarantees to North Korea, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. But since then, negotiations have stalled over a disagreement about what “denuclearization” actually means.
The 2nd summit will be an opportunity to define specific steps for denuclearization. The US government on January 31 insisted on a full inventory of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and a denuclearization roadmap. In return, the US offers to make a “peace declaration” ending the Korean war and resume diplomatic relations to pave the way for North Korea’s economic development.
A number of politicians have commented on the significance of the 2nd US-North Korea summit. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the summit could mark a turning point in peace and denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Japan expects a more concrete result this time. China said it wants the 2nd Trump-Kim summit to have a positive result.
Observers expect that the 2-day summit (the 1st summit in Singapore lasted just one day) will issue an official statement ending the Korean war.
Preparations under way
US and North Korea working groups have met regularly to prepare the ground for “a big deal” at the coming summit. The central task is to set specific denuclearization steps and specific incentives and rewards such as easing sanctions.
A meeting between US and South Korea envoys will take place on February 17 to agree on draft documents to be discussed at the summit.
The relationship between Washington and Pyongyang has been friendlier since the 1st summit, despite some tense moments. The public is hoping this new summit will lead to a permanent peace on the Korean peninsula.