President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Hanoi. AP-Yonhap
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit Wednesday, expressing hope and confidence that this week's talks will be successful.
Sitting briefly together with Trump at a French colonial-era hotel in Hanoi, Kim said he would do his best to produce a "great outcome" to be welcomed by all people.
Kim praised Trump for his "courageous decision" to initiate the summit process.
For his own part, Kim said more efforts and patience were needed than at any other time to make the summit happen.
U.S. President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un following a meeting at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi on February 27, 2019. AFP-Yonhap
Trump said his previous talks with Kim in Singapore eight months ago were a great success and the Hanoi meeting will "hopefully be equal or greater than the first."
Trump, Kim may agree on opening liaison offices 2019-02-27 17:13 | Politics Moon's adviser cautious about North Korea-US deal 2019-02-27 16:03 | Politics Like grandfather, like grandson - in Hanoi [PHOTOS] 2019-02-27 15:36 | North Korea He added their personal relationship was the biggest progress they had made and told Kim that North Korea has tremendous economic potential.
He described his relations with Kim as "special."
Minutes earlier, they shook hands for several seconds, smiling and even laughing, in front of the flags of their countries at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel.
U.S. President Donald Trump (C-R) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (C-L) sit with others for a dinner at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi on February 27, 2019. AFP-Yonhap
Following the photo-op, they had a one-one-one meeting with the help of their respective translators. It was followed by a small social dinner involving some of their top aides.
Two American officials -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney -- joined the dinner meeting. Kim Yong-chol, a senior Workers' Party official, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho were at the dining table as well.
The leaders plan to meet again to continue their negotiations on Thursday, which Trump said will be a busy day. Kim said he was having interesting dialogue with the U.S. leader. (Yonhap)