WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday said North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquished its nuclear arsenal, ahead of his summit with Kim Jong Un.
In a series of tweets on the eve of his departure by Air Force One for this week's summit in Hanoi, Trump also praised China and Russia for enforcing sanctions on North Korea while insisting he had a "great relationship with Chairman Kim."
On Saturday, Kim began the long train journey to Vietnam, through China, for the meeting with Trump.
In his tweets, Trump spoke highly of China's President Xi Jinping, saying he had been "very helpful" in his support for the summit.
"The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful."
"Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation!" he wrote.
Trump said he and Kim "both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?"
Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019
President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong Un. The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful. Great relationship with Chairman Kim!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019
Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today! I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019
Kim is demanding the lifting of punishing sanctions while Washington insists that the measures must remain in place until North Korea gives up its nuclear arsenal.
Trump is trying to manage expectations for his second summit with the North Korean leader, predicting a "continuation of the progress" made last time.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox News Sunday that he was hoping for a "substantive step forward." But, he cautioned, `it may not happen, but I hope that it will."
"President Trump has also said this is going to take time. There may have to be another summit. We may not get everything done this week," Pompeo said.
Pompeo said he hoped to put a "road map" in place, but would not discuss the possibility of declaring a formal end to the Korean War or pulling some American troops from South Korea, in keeping with his stand against publicly discussing issue that could arise during the negotiations.
Pompeo said he believes North Korea remains a nuclear threat, though Trump tweeted after the Singapore summit that "there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea."
Pompeo told CNN's State of the Union that the commitment Kim made "had substantially taken down the risk to the American people."
