By Park Gil-ja and Lee Hana
Photos = Yonhap News

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 27 began the first day of their two-day summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Both leaders on Feb. 28 are expected to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and related follow-up measures. They will discuss in more detail items brought to the table during last year's summit in Singapore such as complete denuclearization, improvement of U.S.-North Korea relations and formation of a peace regime on the peninsula.

After a luncheon the same day, the two leaders are expected to sign the Hanoi Declaration.


On the evening of Feb. 27, the two leaders held a one-on-one conversation and attended a small dinner during which they expressed a positive outlook for their talks the next day.

Trump said, "North Korea has tremendous economic potential," adding, "[Kim] will have a tremendous future with [his] country."

Kim said, "I truly believe that this successful and great meeting we're having today is thanks to the courageous political decision that your team, Mr. President, reached," adding, "Since we last met, there have been some misunderstandings...but we've overcome all the obstacles. [That] we’re here today gives us hope that we will be successful."

Joining the two leaders for dinner were U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the North's Worker's Party, and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

krun@korea.kr