Will there be chemistry between Kim and Trump at summit in Singapore?
The big question now is this:
Can the two sides reach a deal in Singapore that leads to Pyongyang's complete denuclearization.
More importantly will the outspoken, larger than life leaders get along and make the most out of this rare meeting?
Lee Ji-won help us gauge how things could unfold when they sit down to talk.
Two very different yet similar leaders of decades-long adversaries are set to have their historic first meeting next month.
Just by looking at their age, the two leaders are a generation apart,... with U.S. President Donald Trump more than twice the age of Kim Jong-un.
The two also rose to power in contrasting ways.
While Trump is a businessman turned politician who climbed his way up to the nation's top seat, Kim was born into the regime's ruling family,... who have been passing down the crown for three generations.
But the two also share similar backgrounds like being born into rich families, and having international levels of education.
Whether there's a spark between the two leaders could be crucial in the upcoming North Korea-U.S. summit, as Trump has emphasized the chemistry between him and his counterparts when meeting other world leaders.
But the two leaders share two major characteristics,... 'unpredictability' and 'boldness in making game changing bets'.
After bravely jumping into the world of politics, and winning his presidency, Trump has made a series of radical gambits.
Kim too has been making such series of bold moves,... especially in opening up his regime after his New Year's address.
It is this unpredictability and boldness that enabled the Pyongyang-Washington summit,... as it was unimaginable just a few months ago, with the two leaders having exchanged harsh rhetoric last year.
It is also because of the two leaders' bold, decisive traits that many experts have speculated a complete denuclearization deal could be made during their meeting.
And when asked whether the 'unpredictability' of the leaders could possibly impact the meeting in a negative way,... some experts say it's highly unlikely.
"Kim has become much more predictable in the past few months. There were no major turnovers in the recent North Korea related events. And as for Trump, he believes his "sanctions and pressure" were effective in finally bringing Pyongyang to the table. So with the two leaders determined to make these talks a success, I am quite optimistic."
But considering how some of the past denuclearization deals, including the Joint Statement in 2005, were also big,... but eventually unsuccessful in denuclearizing Pyongyang, the expert added it's not just about signing the deal, but also implementing it.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
Can the two sides reach a deal in Singapore that leads to Pyongyang's complete denuclearization.
More importantly will the outspoken, larger than life leaders get along and make the most out of this rare meeting?
Lee Ji-won help us gauge how things could unfold when they sit down to talk.
Two very different yet similar leaders of decades-long adversaries are set to have their historic first meeting next month.
Just by looking at their age, the two leaders are a generation apart,... with U.S. President Donald Trump more than twice the age of Kim Jong-un.
The two also rose to power in contrasting ways.
While Trump is a businessman turned politician who climbed his way up to the nation's top seat, Kim was born into the regime's ruling family,... who have been passing down the crown for three generations.
But the two also share similar backgrounds like being born into rich families, and having international levels of education.
Whether there's a spark between the two leaders could be crucial in the upcoming North Korea-U.S. summit, as Trump has emphasized the chemistry between him and his counterparts when meeting other world leaders.
But the two leaders share two major characteristics,... 'unpredictability' and 'boldness in making game changing bets'.
After bravely jumping into the world of politics, and winning his presidency, Trump has made a series of radical gambits.
Kim too has been making such series of bold moves,... especially in opening up his regime after his New Year's address.
It is this unpredictability and boldness that enabled the Pyongyang-Washington summit,... as it was unimaginable just a few months ago, with the two leaders having exchanged harsh rhetoric last year.
It is also because of the two leaders' bold, decisive traits that many experts have speculated a complete denuclearization deal could be made during their meeting.
And when asked whether the 'unpredictability' of the leaders could possibly impact the meeting in a negative way,... some experts say it's highly unlikely.
"Kim has become much more predictable in the past few months. There were no major turnovers in the recent North Korea related events. And as for Trump, he believes his "sanctions and pressure" were effective in finally bringing Pyongyang to the table. So with the two leaders determined to make these talks a success, I am quite optimistic."
But considering how some of the past denuclearization deals, including the Joint Statement in 2005, were also big,... but eventually unsuccessful in denuclearizing Pyongyang, the expert added it's not just about signing the deal, but also implementing it.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.