Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson (Photo: AP) Washington (VNA) – The DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam has been off to a great start, and the good relationship between US President Donald Trump and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un is good for diplomacy, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson told Fox News’ America Newsroom on February 27.
He said Trump and Kim’s personal relationship is significant to both the DPRK and Asia. However, the real test will be whether their relationship will translate into whether Chairman Kim would take concrete steps to dismantle some of the nuclear weapons. Also, he has doubts on the possibility that Kim will dismantle all of his nuclear weapons.
In addition, Kim wants a formal peace treaty ending the Korean War, as well as negotiations on the presence of US troops in the Republic of Korea, he noted.
Richardson’s evaluation came following the private meeting between the two leaders on February 27.
Speaking to the press in Hanoi, President Trump expressed his hope that the summit will be very successful and stressed that he will not turn his back on the target of denuclearization, while Kim said he has overcome many challenges to come to the summit and also hopes for the success of the summit.
After the first meeting in Singapore last year, inter-Korea economic cooperation has seen significant progress. However, their ties have been barred by international trade sanctions. Thus, besides the nuclearisation issue, the ongoing summit is expected to open up an opportunity to loose sanctions, allowing the DPRK economy to take off.-VNA
VNA
