Moratorium put on hope

2024-10-07 18:37:13      点击：448

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un hold a meeting during the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel in Hanoi on Thursday. The planned signing of the so-called Hanoi Declaration was canceled, and the White House issued a statement saying "No agreement was reached at this time," adding that "respective teams look forward to meeting in the future." AFP-Yonhap

By Kim Ji-soo

"The relationship is just very strong and when you have a good relationship a lot of good things happen," U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday, as he sat facing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The two leaders were briefly meeting the press before they embarked on the real negotiations constituting the second North Korea-U.S. summit.

Kim, his cheeks slightly flushed but smiling, said "I believe by intuition that good results will be produced."

The two, who were meeting for the first time in eight months, visibly demonstrated a familiarity, a bit of trust or a desperate realization they need each other. Kim needs U.N. sanctions lifted while Trump needs to achieve denuclearization, yet these goals require serious sacrifices by both parties. The sacrifices may well have been too grave; the talks essentially broke down Thursday.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un travels in a vehicle following the second U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi on Thursday. AFP-Yonhap

The summit seemed to start off well. Kim was seen breaking into a big smile during the first-ever dinner between the two Wednesday. Earlier, Trump called Kim "my friend Kim Jong-un" as he espoused an "awesome future" if Kim agreed to give up his nuclear arsenal. The North Korean leader was less profuse, but he appeared surer of his footing and seemed to make more direct eye contact.

Some observers noted how the friendly gestures may have been rehearsed. At some point, the North Korean leader seemed to wear an expression of a man who got what he wanted but was not sure that he really wanted what he got. Kim answered questions from Western reporters, but grew combative at times in addressing them. Trump, facing a political crisis back home, seemed concerned even as he smiled.

As the world waited for good results, however, the working lunch and the anticipated signing of the so-called Hanoi Declaration were suddenly canceled. The White House issued a statement saying, "No agreement was reached at this time," and added that "respective teams look forward to meeting in the future."

A view of the table in the room which was supposed to host a working lunch between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, that was cancelled, during the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, Thursday. Reuters-Yonhap

Vietnamese residents gather near the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel where the second NOrth korea-U.S. summit entered its second day Thursday. One man is seen holding up a sign saying "Welcome." Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hanoi, Thursday. On the right is the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk