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Trump-Kim Summit Ends In Warm Words And Vague Promises; Moon Hopes Summit Will Lead To Complete Denuclearization; China Measures Against North Korea Could Be Adjusted; Trump: U.S. To Stop War Games In South Korea; Crucial Brexit Vote Up For Debate In Parliament; Two Italian Ships To Help Transfer Migrants To Spain; Trump Declares A New Era Of U.S.-North Korea Ties; Trump Says To Stop War Games In South Korea; Summit Sideshow; U.S.- North Korea Summit; Palace Showcases Vietnam's Cultural History. Aired 8-9a ET
Aired June 12, 2018 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: A historic handshake, full and unprecedented moment.
ANNA COREN, CNN ANCHOR: Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump declare a new era of ties between North Korea and the United States in the first ever meeting
the countries' leaders.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are prepared to start a new history, and we are ready to write a new chapter between our nations.
LU STOUT: Both men agreed to work towards a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, a pledge that seemed all but impossible just months ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COREN: Hello, I'm Anna Coren coming to you live from Seoul on a day that will have huge implications not just here on the Korean Peninsula, but
right around the world.
LU STOUT: And I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong, welcome to News Stream. From the brink of nuclear war to talk of lasting peace, Donald Trump is
calling his historic meeting with Kim Jong-un, quote, honest, direct, and productive. The U.S. and North Korean have met in Singapore for nearly
five hours, and signed an agreement short on specifics, when that reaffirmed a commitment to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
In exchange, it was agreed to provide security guarantees to North Korea, and in a major concession, Mr. Trump said that the U.S. would be ending its
joint military drill with Seoul. The U.S. President also spoke of his special bond with the North Korean dictator. So far North Korean media has
been relatively silent. Will Ripley has more on this unprecedented day.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nuclear rivals stepped into view, five paces, then history with a handshake. U.S. President Donald and North
Korean Leader Kim Jong-un meet for the first time. Two flags at red, white, and blue from two very different countries hurled side-by-side.
Body language diplomacy plays out, smiles, pats on the back, and Trump guiding Kim inside. In a day of first, Kim takes questions from the
foreign press. Then it's down to business.
Kim wants to grow his economy, and he needs relief from binding sanctions. Trump wants Kim to give up his nuclear weapons. The President has brought
his tough talkers to the negotiating table. But in front of the press, only messages of peace.
TRUMP: A lot of progress, really, very positive, I think better than anybody could have expected, top of the line, really good.
RIPLEY: And a joint statement, pledging security for the North Korean government in exchange for start to denuclearization and sanctions staying
in place for now.
Trump says he's happy, but there no timeline for the North to give up its nuclear weapons, or details on how they will prove they're gone.
TRUMP: And it does take a long time to, you know, pull off complete denuclearization. It takes a long time, scientifically.
RIPLEY: Kim Jong-un has much to celebrate. Once considered reckless, isolated, demonized, sanctioned -- North Korea now treated as an equal.
TRUMP: And I also will be inviting Chairman Kim at the appropriate time to the White House.
RIPLEY: And in a concession to the North, Trump says he will stop U.S. military exercises with South, always seen by Pyongyang as provocation.
For the people of Seoul and everyone else in the nuclear firing line, a moment of relief, perhaps.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through a translator): North Koreans were our sworn enemy. I couldn't imagine the day would come where they would shake hands.
RIPLEY: And a hope that today's peace pledge is truly a new beginning, and not yet another disappointment. Will Ripley, CNN, Singapore.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: We are keeping a close eye on reaction around the world. Here in Seoul we have CNN's International Diplomatic Affairs Editor Nic Robertson.
But first let's go to our Paula Hancocks who has been following this story very closely from Singapore.
She's at Changi Airport waiting for Kim Jong-un to arrive. Paula, no matter your belief, no matter your politics, today was certainly historic
with that joint agreement that was signed certainly for sure to that complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization that the United States
said that they needed.
[08:05:00] And then on top of that, we heard that Donald Trump is willing to cancel those joint military exercises between the United States, and
South Korea. I mean, who is the winner out of this first round of talks?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anna, any way you look at it at this point, Kim Jong-un is the winner without a doubt. He has managed to
be on the global stage next to the U.S. President Donald Trump. He's been treated as an equal.
He is on an equal footing with Mr. Trump right now. And the agreement that they signed did not have that word, verifiable -- the complete verifiable,
irreversible, dismantlement of the nuclear program.
What it has was a grantee for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We have heard that before, we have seen that before in previous
agreement within the six-party talks, with the U.S. and North Korea as well.
And what they've also decided on was they were going to have these security guarantees. Now we always knew this was very important to North Korea.
We've heard from the South Korean President Moon Jae-in that Kim Jong-un was concerned about raising survival if he was going to give up any of his
nuclear weapons.
The U.S. President said had in the past couple of weeks publicly said that he was going to secure, and guarantee his security. He was -- he said was
going to be rich, his country was going to be right, he's was going to be safe, he's going to be happy, and that's what he's done today.
Because this wasn't in the agreement, but in the press conference afterwards, Mr. Trump really did drop a bombshell saying that the war games
as he calls them between North -- U.S. and South Korea were going to be stopped.
He called them provocative. He called them inappropriate. Those are two adjectives that North Korea uses to describe these military drills between
the U.S. and South Korean militaries. And on top of that, it appears that he hasn't even told his own military that this was going to happen.
I spoke to U.S. forces in Korea, and they say that they haven't had any updated guidance on the execution of these drills. They're still planning
for a big drill in (Inaudible) at the end of the summer. So that was really a surprise, and many would say a great concession to the North
Koreans. Anna.
COREN: Yes, absolutely. Nic, if I can now bring you into discussion about the cancellation of these war games. Privately, how do you think President
Moon Jae-in of South Korea would be feeling, considering how much importance South Korean military places on those joint military exercises?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS EDITOR: Sure. And also, you know, it's something for the people of South Korea to know that
their military can and ready fight tonight, and that's the -- that's the footing that they're on along side U.S. forces, should they need to,
because the threat from the north has been very, very real.
So this is something politically that's been required, and certainly something that the people seem to want. You know, going into this summit,
the South Korean President did seem to have indicated -- hint at some reservations about how it might go. This is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOON JAE-IN, SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT (through a translator): I spent a sleepless night. I, along with all our people, sincerely hope that this
will be a successful summit that will open a new era of complete denuclearization, peace, and a new relationship between South Korea, North
Korea, and the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: So we now know that President Trump is flying back from Singapore to the United States. And about 45 ago, he picked up his in-
flight phone and called President Moon. The conversation we are told, we will get a read -- a readout of it when they get to the end of it.
But what we know so far, there was statement that came from the Blue House, the President's office, to gives us a rough idea of what the early reaction
looks like to his statement about ending the joint military exercises. And I'll read it to you here. It sort of got -- it comes in two parts, really.
At this moment, we need to figure out President Trump's accurate meaning and intention of that statement.
However, we believe we need to seek various measures how to efficiently move forward to the dialogue during serious talks are going to be conducted
to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and to establish relations between North Korea and the United States.
So what we've seem to be hearing from the Blue House is that, yes, this is something that we want, or where it was going to happen, and now we look
into get the details of it, but at the same time, this is a measure that we're willing to go the extra mile if that's what it takes to keep this
conversation, and to improve the relationship between North Korea and the United States. Anna.
COREN: Paula, it's -- if a bromance is struck up between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, which is incredible considering the threats and the insults
that they were hurling at each other last year.
[08:10:03] And then you have Donald Trump saying that he trusts Kim Jong- un, and that he believes that North Korea will start dismantling their nuclear arsenal very quickly. Can North Korea -- can Kim Jong-un be
trusted?
HANCOCKS: Well, I mean, that's the question. We always knew, Anna, that this summit was going to hinge on two very large personalities. It was
accepted the world over that it really depended on how Mr. Trump, and how Mr. Kim got on with each other as to whether or not you could consider this
a success.
Now, I think it's fair to say that they appear to be getting on fairly well. There was -- there was positive body language. You could see
smiles. The comments coming from the U.S. President towards Kim Jong-un was certainly very warm.
And when asked by CNN's Jim Acosta whether he trusted Kim Jong-un, he said, yes, after six months of knowing he thinks -- he does trust him. There as
much more guarded comments from the North Korean Leader. Not surprisingly, really. He is not used to off the cuff remarks, he is certainly not used
to for having press conferences to having international media questioning him.
And so what we heard from him was -- that he did say the world will see a major change. He also said he wanted to pass on his gratitude for the U.S.
President. The really stuck out ate as he was sitting next to Mr. Trump.
Because as you say, the threats, and the insults that they were throwing at each other just a matter of months ago, I mean, this has -- this has moved
remarkably quickly. Anna.
COREN: Yes, incredible, isn't it? Paula Hancocks joining us from Singapore, Nic Robertson here in Seoul, many thanks to your analysis. And,
Kristie, there is no denying this is a new chapter in U.S.-North Korean relations. As we know, the hard work starts now.
LU STOUT: Absolutely. And from that moment these two men shook hands, and the moment when Donald Trump vowed to end war games on the Korean
Peninsula. Wow. What a day. A stunning summit. Anna Coren we'll talk to you again soon.
Now that the summit is over, countries are looking at how to keep the momentum of dialogue and good will. China says sanctions against North
Korea could be adjusted to support nuclear settlement on the Korean Peninsula. Let's dig into that with Matt Rivers.
He joins me now live from Beijing. And, Matt, as we see this warming of relations between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump, is China going to end his
role in tough sanctions, its pressure campaign on Pyongyang?
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, immediately, it doesn't look like that. China at that Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference did
specifically say that they will continue to enforce these sanctions that have been so damaging to the North Korean regime.
But, Kristie, I think we need to talk about the fact that in that press conference, they didn't specifically brought up, when they did have to,
that sanctions could go away if North Korea continues to do the right thing, continues to follow the law. They didn't have to say that.
And so, the fact that they put that out there, and they said that sanctions were never the end game, that they shouldn't be the end game, gives you an
idea into the mindset here in Beijing. And you can speak to many analysts who will tell you -- including our own Joseph Yun actually who was in
Singapore all day long.
He said it on our air earlier today that he would expect China to be the first country to go to the U.N. Security Council, and say look at all the
good stuff that North Korea is doing, let's ease the sanctions, let's walk then back, let's make life easier from the Kim Jong-un regime.
LU STOUT: Matt, you just name checked Joseph Yun. We're going to go to the Ambassador next, but thank you for your reporting from Beijing. Matt
Rivers reporting live for us from the Chinese capital. A statement has been signed earlier today. There promises made, concessions as well.
The North Koreans, they have used similar language in past agreements. But what does Pyongyang done this time to substantially reduce the nuclear
threat? Because that's what the summit was all about. Now CNN Global Affairs Analyst Joseph Yun joins us now from Singapore. Ambassador Yun,
good to see you again, thank you for joining us.
I first need to ask you about that bombshell statement that President Trump made in that press conference today in Singapore about war games. He said
that he's going to stop military drills with South Korea, and that he hopes to eventually withdraw U.S. forces from South Korea. That seems like a
major concession as Paula Hancocks put it. Does this make the summit a win for North Korea?
JOSEPH YUN, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: I think Paula is absolutely right. This is a major concession, and certainly, you know, each time that we have
spoken to North Korea, negotiated, this was among the priority requests of North Korea.
That as a bit of a surprise to us all that the President dropped it in the middle of a press conference when it was not even on the declaration. And
I think we have to figure out how much our ally, South Korea, knew.
After all, these are joint exercises and the reaction from Blue House so far is that they were caught surprised, and apparently, according to Paula,
also the U.S. forces at South Korea.
[08:15:02] So this is a surprise and a major concession.
LU STOUT: U.S. forces, key allies, South Korea surprised by this major concession delivered by Trump today. Let's talk about what it really
means. If there is the end of joint drills between U.S. and South Korea, this is going to complete redraw the geopolitical map across the Peninsula,
and East Asia, isn't it?
YUN: Well, I mean, you know, we have these drills, joint exercise because they are absolutely necessary for our forces to be ready, and it's the
readiness that matters. If you're not ready, there is not much point for being -- U.S. forces, being on the Korea Peninsula.
So it does beg the question, what are their strategic implications for our alliance not just with Korea, but also with Japan. And what does it mean
for the future of the U.S. forces in Korea, so all those questions are being raised. I would say we need more explanation from the White House...
LU STOUT: Yes.
YUN: ... from Washington on what precisely the President meant.
LU STOUT: Absolutely. More clarity needed. I also want to get your thoughts on Kim Jong-un because he has emerged as a victor in all of this.
And he's also been recast from this pariah state dictator to this international darling diplomat. So much so he had that selfie last night
with the Foreign Minister of Singapore. We know that this man in ruthless, but people believe that he's a reformer, he wants to change his country.
Do you buy that?
YUN: Can you say that again? I didn't quite catch the last sentence.
LU STOUT: Do you believe that Kim Jong-un is a reformer? Will he bring positive change to North Korea?
YUN: Well, we don't know. And certainly, President Trump seems to have faith in that very belief, but I for one believe that we need to test him.
We need to test him, press him, that is way to early to assume that he's going to bring positive changes.
Maybe he will, maybe me won't, but so far, I would say he has shown no concrete actions that he is committed to positive change, and what does
positive change mean in this context? One, denuclearization, two, I would say human rights are also quite important, Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, absolutely. And Donald Trump, he said that he did mention human rights, but that wasn't the focus of the meeting today. The Focus
was on denuclearization and this commitment to denuclearization which we've heard before.
We've listened to your analysis all day today, and you've been very critical about the joint communication, the joint statement that was
released by North Korea and the United States. But is there anyway that we could positively spin this?
You know, just the fact that these two men were in the same room, that they shook hands, that they met together after a year of extreme threats. Could
we say yes, this is a step towards peace?
YUN: Kristie, I think you have equation. That we have -- the two met. I mean, we saw all the great diplomatic pageantry. You know, long limousine
lines, warm hand shakes, and two archenemies getting together to say yes, they believe in peace, they believe in change.
But however, you know, summit is not a strategy, you know, summit is the way to bring together people, so there's got to be substance to it. So I'm
disappointed at second half which is the declaration, commitment, there was not much commitment from North Koreans that they will change. So, you
know, I hate to be on the one hand -- on other hand, but that's what it is at the moment.
LU STOUT: Yes, the summit, as you say, is not a strategy. We need to see details. We need to see action. Ambassador Yun, thank you so much for
joining us here on the program, and take care. You are watching News Stream. And still to come on the program, a moment of truth for Britain's
Prime Minister as parliament debates a key Brexit vote. We are live from London, next.
[08:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: Welcome back. It's happening right now. A pretty critical debate in the British House of Commons over a key piece of legislation that
will trigger the U.K.'s withdrawal from the E.U. Now this is also a make or break moment for Prime Minister Theresa May.
If she failed to convince pro-E.U. lawmakers in her own party to support the European Union withdrawal bill, her future as Prime Minister could be
in serious doubt. Max Foster joins me now live from London. And, Max, just walk us through exactly what British lawmakers are voting on, and why
this is such a big week for Brexit.
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, it's going to be ever more complicated, but effectively, what you've got here is the E.U. withdrawal
bill, which defined really how Britain leaves the European Union, and who makes the key decisions really about it, so a word from the House of
Commons up to the House of Lords.
The House of Lords made all sorts of amendments. Those amendments are now going back to the House of Commons. They've just start, discussing it.
And the MPs, Members of Parliament, have to vote on whether they will accept those amendments.
The most controversial amongst them is whether there should be a meaningful vote in parliament on the final Brexit deal. Where that becomes very
contentious is effectively parliament will have the say on whether to accept the deal or negotiated by the government.
If parliament decides to vote against that deal, then parliament effectively takes charge of the process, the government doesn't quite
become redundant, but no government led by Theresa May at least could really operate under a system where parliament effectively takes over the
Brexit negotiations.
That's how it's seen by many in her camp anyway. So, Theresa May citing very clearly this cannot be allowed to happen. So two days of votes on
that. It's a huge test of her.
LU STOUT: Yes, this is potential 48 hours of Commons debate. A huge test for the Prime Minister. If Theresa May fails to convince pro-E.U. law
makers in her own parties to support her side, what will happen to her?
FOSTER: Phillip Lee already Justice Minister has just resigned ahead of this vote. The two people taking it very seriously, indeed. It's very
difficult to see from the numbers and the calculations that are coming around there which way the votes going to go.
But the government has been on a real charm offensive with those MPs. They've been in the media as well, a lot to try to convince them to get
alongside these Tory rebels. So we will see what happens, but it puts her in a pretty impossible situation because she cannot allow parliament to
take over this process, and she's stick her reputation on it.
What she does have on side is this fact, that if she doesn't get her way, and the Tory rebels go against her, then it will almost certainly lead to
another election. She may -- there may be a call of votes of confidence in her, she may called another election through a very complicated process.
Effectively, if we end up with another election, it could mean that Labor Party gets in instead of the Conservative Party, and those rebel MPs will
lose their jobs. So I think that's pretty much what they are trading on.
They've reached the end of the negotiation over this, and the compromise, she's saying you have to reject these amendments, or you know, we're all
going to be vulnerable.
LU STOUT: Yes. This debate that's underway, live pictures on our screen, this is a moment of truth for the British Prime Minister Theresa May. Max
Foster reporting live for us, thank you. Two Italian vessels will help transport hundreds of migrants who are stranded in the Mediterranean.
[08:25:05] Right now, a rescue ship carrying more than 600 people is stranded between Sicily and Malta after Italy's new populous government
turned it away. Spain announced that it would allow the ship to dock at Valencia, but doctors at the border said that the three-day journey would
be just too much for the crowded ship.
And just a short time ago, the group tweeted that 400 of the migrants on board the Aquarius will be transfer to two Italian vessels before making
the journey on to Spain. The group of migrants includes more than 100 unaccompanied minors, as well as seven pregnant women.
The U.S. President Donald Trump says that the United States has not given up anything in his negotiations with North Korea, but many analysts say
that is far from the truth. That angle is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: Welcome back to News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong.
COREN: And I'm Anna Coren in Seoul, where those history making five hours talks between President Trump and the North Korea -- North Korea's Kim
Jong-un. They certainly turn out some big promises, and they've left many people asking a lot of questions.
Well, the U.S. President is on his way back to Washington after delivering a one hour and five minute speech, and Q&A session. He's touting the
meeting as a massive historic and personal achievement. But the documented signs laid many lingering questions.
Let's head now to Singapore where Kaitlan Collins joins us. And, Kaitlan, as far as Donald Trump is concerned, this was history in the making,
perhaps even a Nobel Peace Prize on its way. But as we know, the expert who started poking holes in that agreement, how will this be received back
in the United States?
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it depends on who you ask. We are already getting some concern from lawmakers over the remarks the
President made, specifically about those security insurances he made in that document that he and both Kim Jong-un signed.
At the press conference, the President really explained that document more. It was a very short document. You know, the President said that was quite
comprehensive, he said he wasn't immediately considering withdrawing those U.S. troops there on the Korean Peninsula.
But at some point he said he did want to get those out of there. Senator Lindsey Graham has already expressed concern about that, saying that is not
something he believes should happen.
And then separately, the President made quite an announcement at that press conference when said that he had agreed with Kim Jong-un just stop those
joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, something that not only caught the South Koreans off-guar, but also the U.S. troops that are stationed
there on the Korean Peninsula.
[08:30:07] So that is something to look forward in the next few days. It is going to get a lot of reaction.
The president making that announcement seemingly out of the blue without getting anything back in return, judging by what the president said. He
listed off several things he thought he got in return, including the hostages that were -- those people, those detainees that are recently
detained in North Korea.
Several other things, but nothing new from today beyond a vague commitment by the North Koreans to denuclearization. But it is still raising questions
about just how serious the president is and what kind of concrete commitments the North Koreans offered in response to those gestures by the
president.
ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kaitlan, we know that U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman, he has been in Singapore. He is obviously
friends with both Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump. He spoke to CNN. What did he say?
COLLINS: Yeah, Dennis Rodman is here. This is someone who has been to North Korea more times than the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who has
been there twice has been. So certainly someone the president said he acknowledged and he was going to be here in Singapore.
He was not a part of those talks, though he did receive a call from the press secretary, Sarah Sanders. He said he appreciate it, because of how he
was treated by the last administration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DENNIS RODMAN, RETIRED BASKETBALL PLAYER: Obama did not even give me the time of day. I asked him. I said I have something to say from North Korea.
He just brushed me off. But that didn't deter. I still kept going back. I kept going back. I kept going back.
I showed my loyalty and my trustworthy to this country. I said to everybody, I said, the door will open. When I went back home, I got so many
death threats. I got so many death threats while I was protecting everything. I believe in North Korea.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: So there, a clearly emotional Dennis Rodman speaking about what does it mean to him to have a summit like this go forward. He is certainly
one of few Americans who has a relationship with the North Korean dictator offering a praise for President Trump there.
But the question remains whether or not that praise will translate when the president gets back home to Washington. He is on the way back there on on
Air Force One. A very long flight where he may not get the coverage he was expecting as he watch his television on his way back home.
COREN: Yeah, he might be a little bit surprised when he arrives in D.C. and read those headlines. Kaitlan Collins, joining us from Singapore, many
thanks for that.
Kristie, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be flying here to Seoul tomorrow to obviously brief the South Korean president and his government.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN NEWS STREAM SHOW HOST: Yeah. Hopefully, the president of South Korea will get more clarity on what Donald Trump meant
in that press conference earlier today when he said he was going to put an end to war games. Anna Coren in Seoul, thank you.
Kim Jong-un, he promised major changes ahead. Let's get a closer look at what that could mean and if changes are actually going to happen inside
North Korea.
Joining me is John Delury from Yonsei University. John, good to see you. Just a few months ago --
JOHN DELURY, PROFESSOR, YONSEI UNIVERSITY: Yeah, great to see you.
LU STOUT: -- we were talking in Seoul. And the world was a very different place then, you know, escalating threats, risk of war. And earlier today,
we have this historic handshake. You know, I called it a photo-op. You believe it is more than that. You called it an opportunity for peace. What
do you mean by that?
DELURY: Well, you know, this is something I think we have to look at the way we thought about North Korea for a very long time. I mean, I say we as
Americans. North Korea has always been in the category of threat. And of course, the North Koreans have done a lot to stimulate that, to provoke
that. There is good reason for that.
But it's just we've been so locked in to this concept, thinking about North Koreans in, you know, hostile terms and how can they hurt us. And so this
hostile relationship really has been mutual. It has been both sides. And so we trained ourselves not to think in terms of opportunity and to be deeply
cynical when one comes along.
And I think frankly that's what happening right now. It's a huge opportunity that is opening up in terms of what Kim Jong-un is ready to do.
And it is sort of hard for us to change our mindset about North Korea and see it as an opportunity. So that was the point of mine. Re-tweet back to
you.
(LAUGHTER)
LU STOUT: You said that we have to change our mindset about North Korea as a threat. We need to be more optimistic here. You are hopeful. But, are you
optimistic about complete denuclearization?
DELURY: You know, honestly, I am not necessarily hopeful or optimistic because that language implies a faith that it will work out, you know, that
things will work in a certain way, which -- we know it doesn't merit it yet to say that. We don't know if this is going to work out. But when we talk
about a concept of opportunity, I do see something huge in Kim Jong-un.
[08:35:04] And the fact that he came here, the way he handled this trip, the way it has been reported back in North Korea, the signaling that Kim
Jong-un is sending to us, to the world, also back to North Koreans is, he wants to lead his country in a very different direction. He wants to sort
of bring down the draw bridge, you know, fortress North Korea.
And we need to adjust our thinking. So, you've got everyone else talking about denuclearization and that's fine. But I think there is another story
here which is Kim Jong-un's readiness to basically normalize North Korea's relations with the U.S. and with the world. We need to pay attention to
that too.
LU STOUT: And where you are visibly right now is a symbol of that opportunity. You said that the Singapore summit has echoes of Deng Xiaoping
(ph), a leader of a close state stepping forward to open up for greater reform. Do you think that is what is going to happen here with Kim Jong-un?
DELURY: Yeah, I do. I mean, I was skeptical of the Singapore setting. It seemed odd to me and sort of random, frankly. But now that I'm here, it
strikes me as the perfect place for this because Singapore is a story of making a transition to focusing on economic development while frankly
keeping the, you know, a pretty (ph) authoritarian system. That is also what China did under Deng Xiaoping (ph), consciously emulating Singapore in
the late 70s and 80s.
And I think that what we are seeing Kim Jong-un do. So, it doesn't solve all our problems, you know, and it doesn't create a perfect world. But it
is a massive and major improvement on the way that we've been dealing with North Korea. And also for the lives of average North Koreans. It has huge
potential positive implications for them as well.
LU STOUT: Absolutely. John Delury, Yonsei University, joining us live from Singapore, thank you for joining me, take care.
It was a historic summit, a stunning day with several iconic moments seen on the global stage. Nations around the world watched every moment through
the lens of the hundreds of journalists there. We will recap the best moments, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: Welcome back. From centuries-old artifacts to his own modern works, one Vietnamese artist is sharing his country's folk heritage with
the world. In this edition of "Destination Hanoi," we will show you a palace that celebrates dozens of ethnic groups and their unique
contributions to Vietnam's cultural history.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): On the outskirts of Hanoi, a catalogue of culture and the lifework of an artist. At Thanh Chuong Viet Palace, a
vision of Vietnam unfolds.
THANH CHUONG, ARTIST AND COLLECTOR (through translator): This is a place that preserves and honors the essence of Vietnamese culture.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over) Thanh Chuong is one of the country's foremost artists, best known for his lacquer paintings that depict dreamy
and postural (ph) scenes. While modern in aesthetic, his work draws heavily upon his Vietnamese heritage.
[08:40:00] CHUONG (through translator): Our ancestors were farmers living in villages. So the very essence of our culture is simple, rustic,
friendly, and pure. That to me has always been the deepest root of the Vietnamese people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): In 2001, the rolling hillside of Hanoi became a canvass for Thanh Chuong's collection of centuries-old artifacts.
Along with his wife, Ngo Huong, the artist began adorning this hectare of land with traditional architecture and more than 2,000 antiques, from
depictions of the Buddha to stature (ph) typical of Northern Vietnam.
NGO HUONG, WIFE OF THANH CHUONG: The most thing that people are mostly surprised when they come here is they could not imagine that this place was
created by one man and by his paintings.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Thanh Chuong says he originally built the Viet Palace as a private getaway for his family. But in 2009, he decided to
open this place to the public.
CHUONG (through translator): I can always be myself when I am in this place. Over the years, it has become a destination for curious souls who
want to learn about Vietnam's folk heritage.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: Now, it was a surreal scene in Singapore today. Two leaders who less than one year ago were threatening one another with destruction, set
down face-to-face for nearly five hours. And we watched as they shook hands for the very first time. And we saw back patting or smiling. And Mr. Trump
ushering Mr. Kim into the hotel venue for the big summit.
The international community held it's breath as the leaders walked out. And then they signed a declaration, reaffirming their commitment to a nuclear-
free Korean Peninsula. And, Anna, the reaction to that, it's coming in from far in life (ph).
COREN: Yeah, absolutely. There has been global reaction, Kristie. South Korea has commanded both leaders for taking a quote, daring step towards
change. The E.U. is also praising the meeting as a crucial move towards peace. Moscow is calling it a positive step.
Donald Trump's extraordinary gamble to meet with the leader of North Korea was truly unprecedented. But whether nuclear disarmament will be the final
outcome of the summit may not be known for years.
That does it for us here in Seoul on this historic day. I'm Anna Coren, live from Seoul, South Korea.
LU STOUT: And I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for watching "News Stream." Don't go anywhere though. "World
Sport" with Christina Macfarlane is next.
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