No denuclearization deal reached; Trump, Kim end summit abruptly
The second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, held between February 27 and 28 in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, came to a conclusion on Thursday. However, despite expectations, the two leaders failed to reach an agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. That said, talks are expected to continue in the future. Here are the details.
Various things discussed, but no agreement this time: White House
"The two leaders discussed various ways to advance denuclearization and economic driven concepts. No agreement was reached at this time, but their respective teams look forward to meeting in the future," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
Trump, Kim had been expected to sign an agreement
The Hanoi summit between Trump and Kim marked their second meeting since their historic first in Singapore in June last year. This summit, aimed at improving relations between the two countries, was slated to end with a "joint agreement signing ceremony" wherein the two leaders were expected to sign a deal pertaining to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
The meeting had begun on a positive note
The meeting between Trump and Kim began at the French colonial-era Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, and the two leaders, accompanied only by translators, met for a 40-minute private discussion. After their meeting, they went for a stroll on the hotel's lush grounds, and chatted while they were at it. Subsequently, they were joined by aides to continue talks.
However, it came to an abrupt end
However, things ended abruptly. After initial talks on the second day of the summit, both leaders left the meeting venue unexpectedly, canceling a planned lunch together, and the joint agreement ceremony. While reasons behind the abrupt departure are not exactly clear, Trump has said that he was in "no rush" to sign the deal, and Kim has said that he is open to denuclearization.
We'll have fantastic success with North Korea: Trump
"I can't speak for necessarily for today, but...over a period of time I know we're going to have fantastic success with respect to Chairman Kim and North Korea," said Trump after the expected deal fell through.
Kim also addressed Western media for the first time
Interestingly, the summit, for the first time ever, saw Kim respond to queries of Western journalists. Speaking to the Press, he reassured everyone that he was open to denuclearization, and struck a hopeful note, saying, "I believe by intuition that good results will be produced". When reporters asked if human rights violations were being discussed, Trump interjected, saying they were "discussing everything".
Is Kim's dark side being brushed under the rug?
While no denuclearization deal is in place, talks are expected to continue later, but it is unclear when or where the next summit will take place - there are no plans as of now. Meanwhile, experts are worried that the dark side of Kim's regime - human rights abuses, detention camps, suppression of voices, and executions - is being brushed under the rug in the rush to address Pyongyang's nuclear program.
