President Trump said Wednesday about his summit with Kim Jong-un that he will do everything
he can to make it a "worldwide success."
This was in the second and final day of his summit in Florida with Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe.
But while Trump is sounding optimistic, he's not committing to any change in policy.
Lee Ji-won has this report.
At a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Mar-a-Lago
resort on Wednesday local time, U.S. President Trump expressed great hope and determination
for his intended summit with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"It would be a tremendous thing for North Korea and a tremendous thing for the world.
So, we will be doing everything possible to make it a worldwide success, not just for
the United States, or South Korea, or North Korea, or Japan, but for the entire world."
Saying that he is looking forward to the meeting, and that the U.S. has never been in a position
like this with the regime, Trump added that he hopes to see the day when the two Koreas
can live together in "safety, prosperity and peace."
But his message to the North was not all optimistic and rosy.
"If we don't think it's going to be successful, we won't have it.
We won't have it.
If I think that it's a meeting that is not going to be fruitful, we're not going to go.
If the meeting, when I'm there is not fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting and
will continue what we're doing, or whatever it is that we'll continue, but something will
happen."
The two leaders also reiterated that their campaign of maximum pressure will continue
until Pyongyang denuclearizes, and that past mistakes should never be repeated.
Efforts to bring home citizens of both countries from the North was also brought up.
Trump said that Washington is negotiating with Pyongyang and fighting "diligently" to
bring back three American citizens detained by the regime.
And with Trump also mentioning the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by the North, Abe
promised to try to solve the issue.
"We also agree to continue our efforts towards the early resolution of the top priority matter
of the abductions.
Full efforts will be made with a clear promise, just made here.
We are deeply encouraged, Donald."
Meanwhile, amid wide speculation that Abe was concerned about Japan being sidelined
on the North Korean issue, Trump seemed to have lowered Abe's concerns by complimenting
the Japanese Prime Minister on his efforts and cooperation.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.

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