On February 27-28, the second US-North Korea summit on the peace process and complete denuclearization took place.Korean PeninsulaIt will be held in Hanoi. A reporter from Cong Ly Newspaper had a brief interview with Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi) about this special event.
PV: As an expert in international relations, what is your assessment of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, particularly following the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June 2018?
Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh:I think that after the first summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un on June 12, 2018, in Singapore, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has seen many positive changes.
US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shake hands at a private meeting in Singapore in June 2018. Photo: Reuters
However, I believe that this positive shift was not solely influenced by the first summit, but by the three summits between the two leaders of South Korea – President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un – in 2018. During those meetings, both sides discussed ways to reduce tensions along the 38th parallel border between the two Koreas.
On the morning of April 27, 2018, Chairman Kim Jong-un left Pyongyang for a summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in in South Korea. At precisely 9:30 AM Seoul time (7:30 AM Hanoi time) that same day, Kim Jong-un took a historic step, crossing the demarcation line in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in. After shaking hands, Kim led Moon to the North Korean side of the border before the two men smiled and walked hand in hand across the demarcation line – a historic milestone for both countries.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un held hands as they took historic steps across the border into North Korean territory during their meeting on April 27, 2018.
Chairman Kim Jong-un was the first and only North Korean leader in nearly 70 years to set foot on South Korean soil for the historic meeting. Writing in the guest book at the Peace House in Panmunjom, Chairman Kim wrote: "A new history begins today; the era of peace, the beginning of history."
And the South Korean President's visit to Pyongyang is one of the extremely positive manifestations of the relationship between the two countries. Both sides have also made commitments to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, reduce military forces on both sides of the border, and minimize the number of guard posts and radio stations along the border… It can be said that these are concrete proofs that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is undergoing very positive changes.
Subsequently, the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un in Singapore reaffirmed Washington's willingness to reconnect with Pyongyang, provided that North Korea's nuclear weapons program is scaled back, and that its nuclear program is completely dismantled.
However, it must be said that there hasn't been much significant progress in relations between the two countries, and therefore this second meeting promises to open up positive prospects. Personally, I believe that after more than half a year since their first meeting, the two leaders of the US and North Korea have built initial trust and therefore promise more concrete results.
PV: Can you give us your prediction on the progress that the US and North Korean leaders might make at the second US-North Korea summit, scheduled to take place in Hanoi on February 27-28?
Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh:The international community in general, and the leaders of many countries around the world in particular, have high hopes, such as a declaration ending the state of war on the Korean Peninsula and lifting sanctions against North Korea. But along with that, everyone certainly hopes for concrete agreements on reducing nuclear test sites, uranium enrichment, or specific steps toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
But perhaps we also know that this is a very difficult task, because nuclear weapons are arguably the "only tool" Pyongyang has for negotiations. They want the US and Western countries to acknowledge this, to recognize North Korea as a nuclear power. However, if they want North Korea to completely abandon its nuclear development program, the US and its allies also need to take commensurate actions, because in international relations this is based on the principle of "reciprocity."
President Donald Trump declared he was "not in a hurry to pressure North Korea" on a roadmap for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
In his most recent White House press briefing, President Donald Trump stated he was "not in a hurry to pressure North Korea" on a roadmap for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but he also expressed confidence in positive progress. Furthermore, President Trump indicated he has a "good relationship" with leader Kim Jong-un. And as President Trump has previously expressed hope that North Korea will become an "economic powerhouse," this could be a driving force for both sides to find common ground and work towards development.
Reaching a major decision at the second US-North Korea summit may be difficult, but I always hope that both sides will reach concrete agreements and practical steps toward a complete peace and denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula. However, it is also important to acknowledge that for this second meeting in Hanoi to take place, both sides have shown goodwill and a shared commitment to dialogue for peace. Dialogue is always better than confrontation. Only through dialogue can misunderstandings, prejudices, and tensions be mitigated.
President Trump is unlike any of his predecessors, and so far no American president has managed to do the same: meet with the leader of North Korea. A direct meeting between the two leaders is a concrete manifestation of a new approach: to truly understand your opponent, you must at least meet. The fact that the two leaders agreed to meet for the first time in Singapore last February was a great success for both countries' diplomacy and for the two leaders themselves. Dialogue is a manifestation of reconciliation, and clearly reconciliation is better than war, and seeking dialogue is better than confrontation. And during that meeting, the two leaders displayed extremely cordial and open gestures, which is a crucial foundation for further progress, and it is no coincidence that they had a second meeting in Hanoi.
PV:Were you surprised that Vietnam, and specifically Hanoi, was chosen to host the second US-North Korea summit, and why?
Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh:The choice of Vietnam, and specifically Hanoi, as the venue for the second US-North Korea summit was certainly surprising, but it could also be considered not surprising. It was surprising because Vietnam is a country that still lacks experience in international integration, and its infrastructure is not yet at a high level…
However, that choice is not surprising because Vietnam is a common denominator for both the US and North Korea. The two countries can find common ground here that cannot be found anywhere else. Vietnam is a country that has experienced many wars, shedding much blood to achieve peace, so organizing a peace-oriented event in this land is truly meaningful; this land has revived, rising from bombs, war, and 20 years of painful division since 1954 after the Geneva Accords, which is also very significant for the Korean Peninsula, which has been divided since 1953 after the Panmunjom Agreement; Vietnam, from a country that was once an adversary of the US, has now become a comprehensive partner; Vietnam, from a centrally planned economy, has transformed into a market economy, open and integrated internationally. And these are the things that both the US and North Korea see in Vietnam: an opportunity for reconciliation, an opportunity for reunification, and an opportunity for development. It can be said that all of these things are highly symbolic, and help both sides see a prospect for the future of the Korean Peninsula.
The second US-North Korea summit – a peace conference – was held right in the city of peace. Photo: TPO
Interestingly, on February 27-28, the US-North Korea Summit on peace and complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula will be held in Hanoi. What's remarkable is that a peace conference is being held in a city known for peace. Twenty years ago, Hanoi was the only city in the entire Asia-Pacific region to be awarded this title by UNESCO. Over the past 20 years, the city has not only fostered its traditional cultural values but has also become a center connecting global values, a place for exchanging regional and international initiatives for peace, stability, and development. Everyone surely remembers one of Hanoi's particularly interesting legends: the Turtle Tower on Ho Gươm Lake, with the story of returning the precious sword to the Golden Turtle God after the war ended, demonstrating the love for peace of the people of Hanoi in particular, and Vietnamese people in general. After sacrificing themselves in the war for independence and freedom, the Vietnamese people are now ready to embark on building a peaceful life. To achieve the peace we have today, the Vietnamese people cannot forget the years of war. Only in the spirit of "cherishing the past, embracing the future" has the Vietnamese nation overcome countless challenges to enter the era of independence, unity, and integration as it is today.
Hanoi is truly a captivating city, blending traditional and modern historical elements, mixing elements from the centrally planned economy era with those of the market economy era… Hanoi possesses a unique character that is difficult to find in any other city in the world. Here, different cultures and civilizations intertwine, blend, and interact. I believe that Hanoi truly deserves to be chosen as the venue for the US-North Korea Summit and is an endless source of inspiration for ideas of peace, friendship, and development.
According to congly.vn
Author:Poetic Thoughts
Newer news
Older news
