White House talks about 'great opportunity' ahead of US-North Korea summit in Hanoi

President Trump (right) and Chairman Kim Jong-un at the summit in Singapore last year. Photo: AFP.

In a statement on February 21, the White House said the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on February 27-28 in Hanoi will aim to make further progress on the commitments the two leaders made in Singapore, including transforming relations, building lasting peace, stability and complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

"The President has made clear that if North Korea follows through on its commitment to complete denuclearization, we will work to ensure that economic development options are available. The United States and our partners are ready to explore ways to mobilize investment, improve infrastructure, enhance food security, and more in North Korea," the White House said in a statement, referring to the "tremendous opportunity" the summit could bring to the people of the Korean Peninsula and around the world.

The White House stressed that strong economic growth under Chairman Kim Jong-un plays a core role in President Trump's vision of a bright future for US-North Korea relations.

"As part of bold new diplomacy, we continue our historic mission to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula," the statement said.

The White House said that since the first summit in Singapore in June 2018, US-North Korea relations have undergone significant changes. North Korea has not conducted nuclear or missile tests in more than 400 days and has pledged to dismantle its plutonium and uranium enrichment facilities.

In his New Year's speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to complete denuclearization. North Korea also returned the remains of Americans killed in the Korean War.

Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today that the plane carrying US President Donald Trump will land at Noi Bai airport on the evening of February 26. Meanwhile, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said that the train carrying the North Korean leader will arrive in Vietnam on the morning of February 26. Mr. Kim Jong-un will pay an official friendship visit to Vietnam on this occasion, but the specific time has not been announced.