This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
U.S. President Donald Trump left Washington on February 25 for Vietnam where he will hold his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on February 27-28 to discuss North Korea’s nuclear-weapons and missile programs. There has been speculation that the two leaders would discuss agreeing to a formal end to the Korean War, which was frozen by an armistice agreement in 1953.
Prior to leaving Washington, Trump posted on Twitter: “With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!”
Meeting for breakfast with our Nation’s Governors – then off to Vietnam for a very important Summit with Kim Jong Un. With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019
Speaking to a gathering of governors in the White House earlier on February 25, Trump predicted “a very tremendous summit.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox television on February 24 that he hoped for “a substantive step forward” at the summit.
“It may not happen, but I hope that it will,” Pompeo said.
Kim was traveling to Vietnam on an armored train and was expected to reach Hanoi on February 26.
Vietnamese authorities have promised tight security for the event and no information has been released concerning the venue for the summit.
