Hot: President Trump and leader Kim Jong-un will meet in Hanoi?

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 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 as Europe.

Joint Security Area, Panmunjom

This is the location that is leading the speculation lists. Located in the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas, the Joint Security Area (JSA) is the only remnant 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.

"If the meeting is held at Panmunjom, the symbol of division will become a symbol of peace. That is very meaningful" - South Korean official explained optimistically

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 stunning island south of South Korea could be a good option. From North Korea, 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 seems to enjoy them, even piloting one designed by North Korea," Reuters wrote.

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, even though South Korea and North Korea have technically been at war since 1953.

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.

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."

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Beijing has hosted several meetings in the past within the framework of the Six-Party Talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program. However, according to some experts, the political atmosphere between North Korea and China has changed since Kim Jong-un took power in 2012.

Pyongyang or Washington

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.

Pyongyang, North Korea.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter also visited Pyongyang, but at that time they were no longer US presidents.