The Moon-Trump summit offered some of the biggest hints yet... that a third North Korea-U.S. summit could be on the horizon.
The leaders' remarks also appeared to show more flexibility on how they plan to negotiate with Pyeongyang going forward.
Our Park Hee-jun asked an expert what he sees in those comments. A third North Korea-U.S. summit coming soon?
It's a distinct possibility considering how often the subject was broached during talks in New York between Presidents Moon and Trump.
President Moon said a third summit would be a historic turning point that creates a "new denuclearization order" on the Korean Peninsula.
President Trump, while being cautious about fully committing to another face-to-face with Kim Jong-un,... expressed hope for such a meeting at the same time,... all while downplaying North Korea's recent series of short-range missile tests.
"Well, we'll see. Right now, people would like to see that happen. I want to know what's going to be coming out of it. We can know a lot before the summit takes place."
President Moon's remarks on a "new denuclearization order" and President Trump's openness to another round of talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
This adds to what President Trump said last week about pursuing a 'new method' on Pyeongyang,... which experts interpret as the U.S. softening its posture toward the regime.
"After firing former National Security Adviser John Bolton,... President Trump stated that he's willing to restart talks in a more friendly manner with North Korea. I think that's what President Moon is referring to. So it's not so much about the fundamental change in approach towards denuclearization, but more about commending President Trump for rediscovering a willingness to negotiate with North Korea in a manner that's more amenable to North Korea."
And a similar pattern is emerging to the arrangements that proceeded the two previous Kim-Trump summits -- raising the possibility of the third summit.
"Something similar is happening right now. Probably, North Korea and U.S have been in touch. I think President Trump talking about it, it's likely there could be a third summit soon."
And Kim and Trump are expected to continue their top-down approach to negotiations.
President Trump has repeatedly been citing his "very good" personal relationship with the North Korean leader and the regime's suspension of nuclear testing.
With all this and the positive signals sent by Moon and Trump on Monday, there are high hopes summit number three will happen,... maybe even before the end of the year.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.
