North Korean leader should be inspired by 'Doi Moi' reforms
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Vietnam, Tuesday morning, for his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, after almost 66 hours on his train.
Kim traveled through various Chinese cities, starting with Dandong, spending more than 50 hours passing through Chinese territory to reach Vietnam. This shows Beijing is extending special consideration to Kim's second summit with the U.S. leader. By traveling across China, Kim is sending out a message to the U.S. that China is on his side as he engages in the denuclearization negotiations with the world's greatest superpower.
Even before Kim arrived in Vietnam, his choice to take the train captured global media attention. The odd choice to take the train, rather than fly, is reminiscent of Kim's late grandfather, North Korea's founding leader Kim Il-sung, who also traveled to Vietnam in 1958 and 1964 by train. His father and predecessor Kim Jong-il also chose to take the train for overseas trips.
So far, Kim has shown a more open leadership style than his father, who rarely gave public speeches or traveled abroad. The young North Korean leader has shown an enthusiasm for overseas trips. Kim visited China multiple times last year for summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including before and right after the June 12 summit with Trump. Most recently, he was in Beijing Jan. 7 to 10 for a fourth summit with Xi as negotiations were underway to arrange another U.S-North Korea summit. He flew to Singapore last year for his first summit with Trump and surprised the world by taking in the sights.
Kim's arrival in Vietnam was met with a huge welcome from the Vietnamese government as well as the people as it is the first time in 54 years for a North Korean leader to visit the country. Aside from the denuclearization negotiations, all eyes are on Kim's schedule in Vietnam. There is high anticipation over the kind of sites he may visit. It remains to be seen what kind of impression he will take from the country that was once a foe of the U.S., but now has become a friend and has grabbed the international spotlight with its swiftly growing economy.
Vietnam, which has initiated the "Doi Moi" reforms since the 1980s, is a country that can serve as a model for North Korea as it seeks a much-needed economic leap. Now U.S.-Vietnam relations are marked by burgeoning trade and people-to-people exchanges. There is hope for the U.S. and North Korea to end the years of hostilities and start a new relationship if the second Trump-Kim summit goes well and produces tangible results for peace.
We hope the openness that was not found in his predecessors signals Kim's new-found determination to join the global community and embark on a path of peace, prosperity and economic development.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Vietnam, Tuesday morning, for his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, after almost 66 hours on his train.
Kim traveled through various Chinese cities, starting with Dandong, spending more than 50 hours passing through Chinese territory to reach Vietnam. This shows Beijing is extending special consideration to Kim's second summit with the U.S. leader. By traveling across China, Kim is sending out a message to the U.S. that China is on his side as he engages in the denuclearization negotiations with the world's greatest superpower.
Even before Kim arrived in Vietnam, his choice to take the train captured global media attention. The odd choice to take the train, rather than fly, is reminiscent of Kim's late grandfather, North Korea's founding leader Kim Il-sung, who also traveled to Vietnam in 1958 and 1964 by train. His father and predecessor Kim Jong-il also chose to take the train for overseas trips.
So far, Kim has shown a more open leadership style than his father, who rarely gave public speeches or traveled abroad. The young North Korean leader has shown an enthusiasm for overseas trips. Kim visited China multiple times last year for summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including before and right after the June 12 summit with Trump. Most recently, he was in Beijing Jan. 7 to 10 for a fourth summit with Xi as negotiations were underway to arrange another U.S-North Korea summit. He flew to Singapore last year for his first summit with Trump and surprised the world by taking in the sights.
Kim's arrival in Vietnam was met with a huge welcome from the Vietnamese government as well as the people as it is the first time in 54 years for a North Korean leader to visit the country. Aside from the denuclearization negotiations, all eyes are on Kim's schedule in Vietnam. There is high anticipation over the kind of sites he may visit. It remains to be seen what kind of impression he will take from the country that was once a foe of the U.S., but now has become a friend and has grabbed the international spotlight with its swiftly growing economy.
Vietnam, which has initiated the "Doi Moi" reforms since the 1980s, is a country that can serve as a model for North Korea as it seeks a much-needed economic leap. Now U.S.-Vietnam relations are marked by burgeoning trade and people-to-people exchanges. There is hope for the U.S. and North Korea to end the years of hostilities and start a new relationship if the second Trump-Kim summit goes well and produces tangible results for peace.
We hope the openness that was not found in his predecessors signals Kim's new-found determination to join the global community and embark on a path of peace, prosperity and economic development.
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