'Very good dialogue' for Trump-Kim Summit's first day

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02:15

U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un will hold another day of talks at their second summit in eight months on Thursday, after swapping compliments at a dinner but giving no sign of progress on the key issue of denuclearization.

“Great meetings” and a “Very good dialogue,” Trump hailed on Twitter after dinner with Kim at the French-colonial-era Metropole hotel in Vietnamese capital Hanoi Wednesday, while the White House said the two planned to sign a “joint agreement” after further talks on Thursday.

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The summit started in much the same way as their first meeting in June, with a handshake and exchange of pleasantries and opening remarks from each leader.

According to Pyongyang's official media KCNA, the two leaders had a meaningful talk that produced major outcomes, without elaborating on details. "They exchanged serious and in-depth opinions to produce comprehensive and epochal results from the meeting that could live up to the attention and expectations that the world is holding for the success of the summit."

U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un talk during their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo released on February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

The two sides' discussions have included the possibility of a political statement to declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, which some critics see as premature.

They have also discussed partial denuclearization measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantling of DPRK's Yongbyon nuclear reactor, U.S. and Republic of Korea officials say.

They had steak and kimchi

Chefs from the DPRK worked together with staff at the hotel to create a medley of Western and Korean dishes for the two leaders as they chewed over their differences, Reuters cited two sources.

The result was an evening that blended two American and two Korean dishes, according to a copy of the menu released by the White House late on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump (4th R) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (3rd L) have dinner together in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

The two Western dishes, a shrimp cocktail and a “hot and runny-centred” chocolate lava cake, were created by chefs at the hotel, the sources said.

The two Korean dishes－grilled steak with a pear kimchi and a non-alcoholic dried persimmon punch digestif－were prepared by DPRK chefs specially brought in for the event, the sources added.

Kim: Will do best to produce a 'great outcome'

The DPRK leader is sure his summit with Trump will produce positive results.

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"I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people," Kim told Trump.

Kim also praised Trump for his "courageous decision" to begin a dialogue and said they had overcome obstacles to hold their second summit.

"Now that we're meeting here again like this, I'm confident that there will be an excellent outcome that everyone welcomes, and I'll do my best to make it happen."

On Thursday, the two leaders will hold a series of meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced.

Trump: DPRK has great economic potential

The U.S. president hailed the economic potential of the DPRK while meeting with Kim, according to Yonhap.

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The pair shook hands for their second summit to discuss concrete ways for peace and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Trump also met with Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong earlier on Wednesday, where Trump thanked Vietnam for hosting the summit and cited the country as a good example for the DPRK to follow on its path to economic development.

"We both felt very good about having this very important summit in Vietnam because you really are an example of what can happen with good thinking," Trump said during the meeting at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. "And on behalf of the United States, I want to thank you very much for hosting."

Predictions for 2nd Trump-Kim summit: Better, worse, or unchanged?

Late last year, Trump said he and Kim "fell in love" but whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks.

Facing with reporters this year, Trump said the relationship with the DPRK leader "is very special."

China urges U.S., DPRK to meet halfway

Regarding the summit, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that only by meeting each other halfway can the two leaders bring steady and sustained development to both the U.S. and the DPRK.

Spectators watch as the motorcade carrying U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

China appreciates the efforts of Kim and Trump to promote a political solution to the nuclear issue on the peninsula, Wang said on the sidelines of the 16th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia, and India in Wuzhen, eastern China's Zhejiang Province.

Each summit between the DPRK and the U.S. should be a new starting point, Wang stressed, hoping the upcoming Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi will take a step forward in promoting the denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula.

U.S. intelligence officials have said there is no sign the DPRK will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts said the DPRK won't commit to significant disarmament unless punishing U.S.-led economic sanctions are eased.

(With input from agencies)