Hot: President Trump and leader Kim Jong-un will meet in Hanoi?
That is one of the ideas that raises the possibility of a historic meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump. Many locations have been suggested with explanations.
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| Photo: AP |
Since US President Donald Trump announced his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last week, speculation about the location of the first US-North Korea summit has continued to emerge.
To date, Mr. Kim Jong-un has not officially confirmed that he has invited Mr. Trump. Both the United States and South Korea have confirmed that the time and location for such a meeting have not been determined.
But that has not stopped officials from all sides, analysts and observers from constantly guessing about the location of the historic meeting, from the capitals of the US and North Korea to as far away as Europe.
Joint Security Area, Panmunjom
This is the location that is topping the list of speculations. Located in the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas, the Joint Security Area (JSA) is the only remaining legacy of the Cold War and is one of the most heavily guarded places in the world.
"Places like Switzerland, Sweden or Jeju Island seem to attract a lot of attention, but we are seriously considering the Panmunjom truce village," Reuters news agency quoted an official from the South Korean presidential office as saying.
Some skeptics argue that because the JSA is a product of the Korean War and tensions between the two Koreas, the first summit between the US and North Korea will not bring the desired sense of peace. However, according to supporters, it is reasonable for Mr. Trump to meet Mr. Kim Jong-un at the JSA, the two leaders will not need to step on "enemy" land, and security work will be simplified.If the meeting is held at Panmunjom, the symbol of division will become a symbol of peace. That is very meaningful" - South Korean official optimistically explained
Jeju Island (South Korea)
"As the 'Island of Peace', Jeju is the ideal location to host the US-North Korea summit," Reuters news agency quoted the Jeju governor as saying.
The beautiful island in the south of South Korea could be a good choice. From North Korea, Mr. Kim Jong-un can get there by boat or plane.
"Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong-il, had a fear of flying, but Kim Jong-un seemed to enjoy them, even piloting one designed by North Korea," Reuters wrote.
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| Jeju Island Naval Base. |
Europe
Neutral countries like Sweden and Switzerland are considered good choices. Their reputation and role as international mediators are undeniable. Not to mention that after the Korean War, Sweden and Switzerland helped reduce tensions between the two Koreas, despite the fact that South Korea and North Korea have been technically at war since 1953.
According to some Western documents, Kim Jong-un and his sister studied in Switzerland in the 1990s. But this has never been confirmed by North Korean media.The Swiss Foreign Ministry said it is ready to act as a catalyst for dialogue between North Korea and the United States, and confirmed that it is in contact with both sides.
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| In Switzerland, Kim Jong-un studied at an English international school. |
“It is up to the parties concerned to decide when and where it will be held in Sweden,” the Swedish prime minister said in a similar statement on March 10.
Asia
Holding the US-North Korea summit in an Asian country would ensure both geographical proximity and safety for Mr. Kim Jong-un.
Places like Beijing (China), Hanoi (Vietnam), Singapore and even Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) are all likely to become places that go down in the history of US-North Korea relations.
China is the country closest to North Korea in both trade and politics. On March 9, in a phone call with Mr. Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the US-North Korea summit to take place "as soon as possible."
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| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. |
Beijing has hosted several meetings in the past as part of the Six-Party Talks on Pyongyang’s nuclear program. However, some experts say the political climate between North Korea and China has changed since Kim Jong-un took power in 2012.
Pyongyang or Washington
This is the least likely possibility, but if it happens, it would be a historic turning point in US-North Korea relations.Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong-un has never left North Korea, according to Reuters. So the possibility of Kim leaving North Korea for the first time and going straight to the US is very low, unprecedented.
Previous meetings between North Korean and US officials have all taken place in Pyongyang, including what is considered the highest-level meeting to date between late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2000.
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| Pyongyang, North Korea. |
Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter also visited Pyongyang, but at that time they were no longer sitting in the US presidency.
