The biggest loser from the Trump-Kim Hanoi summit may actually be South Korean President Moon Jae-in. His popularity at home has slumped of late due to a sluggish economy. Moon wanted, and had been expecting, some sort of deal weakening DPRK sanctions, one that could have paved the way for deeper inter-Korean economic cooperation. CGTN's Jack Barton takes a look at the ramifications for Moon and South Korea.

South Korea's economic growth is at a six-year low, manufacturing is slowing, the construction sector has contracted and unemployment is at a nine-year high. Economic forecasts appear to be cooling as fast as President Moon Jae-in's approval rating, which is why Moon needed a deal to emerge at the Hanoi summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.

LEE BYUNG-TAE PROFESSOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, KAIST "It's a huge setback. Economically the government has made so many mistakes and is doing very poorly. But I think the general public supports his initiative towards North Korea."

Moon had expected the summit to result in the easing of sanctions, leading to inter-Korean economic cooperation. Including upgrading the DPRK's road and rail networks. The plan also included reopening a shuttered joint industrial area north of the DMZ and this train could theoretically reach if the border gates opened.

YANG JUN-SOK PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF KOREA "Korea cannot really get started on their economic projects until the US gives its go-ahead and the UN gives its green light. They thought that even if they didn't get a big deal, they would proceed with an economic plan, in steps. But no deal took place so no economic cooperation can take place."

JACK BARTON SEOUL "Some analysts worry the failure to reach a deal in Hanoi could also amplify existing divisions within President Moon's government between officials who support fast-tracking inter-Korean economic cooperation and those who back Washington's stance that only maximum pressure will achieve results."

LEE BYUNG-TAE PROFESSOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, KAIST "This government may be in chaos in terms of finding its direction, especially in terms of the direction towards North Korea."

Though South Korea's Unification Ministry is staying on message, saying this week it would talk again soon to the U.S. about waiving some sanctions, and, that preparations for inter-Korean economic cooperation would continue. Jack Barton, CGTN, Seoul.