Kim Trump summit: Leaders in day of nuclear talks in Vietnam

International Desk: US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un have begun a crucial final day of talks in Vietnam on nuclear disarmament.

Little progress has been made towards denuclearisation since a first historic summit last year. All eyes are on what if any concrete steps will be agreed.

"There's no rush. We want to do the right deal," Mr Trump said alongside Mr Kim ahead of their meeting.

Mr Kim said he had a feeling that "good results" would be reached.

They are expected to discuss a roadmap for removing nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula and could also announce a formal treaty ending the Korean War or even liaison offices.

The first summit last June in Singapore between two leaders who had previously only exchanged vitriol was certainly a historic moment. Now, they are both very conscious of the need to answer their critics with signs of concrete progress.

Washington had previously said North Korea had to unilaterally give up its nuclear weapons before there could be any sanctions relief, but that condition is known to be a sticking point for the North Koreans.

Speaking ahead of their talks, Mr Trump appeared to again address scepticism about the success and progress of their last summit: "I've been saying very much from the beginning that speed is not that important to me. I very much appreciate no testing of nuclear rockets, missiles, any of it."

The US president said he had "great respect" for Mr Kim and that their relationship was "very strong".

Meanwhile, in what is believed to be his first ever response to a foreign journalist's question, Mr Kim said: "It's early to tell, but from my instincts, I do have a feeling that good results will emerge."

He said people seeing him alongside Mr Trump would think they were watching a "fantasy movie". At the end of 2017, when they were both threatening each other with war, Mr Trump called Mr Kim "little rocket man", and Mr Kim said Mr Trump was a "mentally deranged dotard".

They emerged from their first session after about 30 minutes and took a brief stroll in the courtyard, joined by their chief advisers - Kim Yong Chol for Mr Kim and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - and interpreters.

In brief remarks to reporters afterwards, Mr Trump said they were "leading towards a very big success".

When asked if he would allow a US liaison office in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, Mr Kim said it was something he would "welcome". Mr Trump replied it was "not a bad idea - both ways".

Source: BBC

risingbd/Feb 28, 2019/Mukul