Train possibly taking Kim Jong Un to summit enters China

[left-of-center2012]

A train similar to one used in the past by Kim Jong Un entered China on Saturday evening, possibly carrying the North Korean leader on a multiday journey to Vietnam’s capital for his summit with President Donald Trump.

An Associated Press reporter saw the green and yellow train cross from North Korea into the Chinese border city of Dandong via a bridge. Kim’s overseas travel plans are routinely kept secret.

The Trump-Kim meeting is slated for Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Their first summit, last June in Singapore, ended without substantive agreements and triggered a months-long stalemate in negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang as they struggled with the sequencing of North Korea’s nuclear disarmament and the removal of U.S.-led sanctions against the North.

In his upcoming meeting with Trump, experts say Kim will seek a U.S. commitment for improved bilateral relations and partial sanctions relief while trying to minimize any concessions on his nuclear facilities and weapons. There continue to be doubts on whether he’s ready to fully deal away an arsenal that he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival.

https://www.apnews.com/70d9d8f8714b4aafa845682f6884051c

[Eugene]

1. Kim Jong-un leaves North Korea for Vietnam by train

Source: BBC

Kim Jong-un leaves North Korea for Vietnam by train

23 February 2019

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has departed for Hanoi by train for talks with US President Donald Trump.

He arrived at the Chinese border city of Dandong after 21:00 local time (13:00 GMT).

The much anticipated second US-North Korea summit is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in the Vietnamese capital.

It follows a historic first round of talks last year in Singapore. All eyes will be on what if any progress is made towards "denuclearisation".

The departure, confirmed by North Korean state media, is the first official acknowledgement that the talks are taking place.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47328334


Mr Kim's distinctive green and yellow train

[soryang]

2. Vietnamese officials, soldiers and police gather at Dong Dang station

awaiting Kim Jong Un's arrival expected tomorrow morning their time. He will take a car from there.

JTBC interviewed local residents in Lang Son the local community there who reported that security measures along the ground route to Hanoi will remain in effect until March 2, suggesting that Kim will take the train back to China.

JTBC reported that Kim's train is not stopping in Quangzhou but taking the shortest route to Lang Son.