As the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi edges ever closer,.. let's hear what experts in Seoul believe the focus of the talks will be.
Park Ji-won has more.
North Korea's denuclearization is the key bone of contention between North Korea and the U.S.,... and the world is watching to see what agreement the two sides can reach on the matter while they are in Hanoi.
During its engagement with North Korea,.. the Trump administration has revised the condition of the North's denuclearization,... from its original stance of CVID,.. complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization,... to so-called FFVD,... final and fully verified denuclearization,... a softer position aimed at solving the issue more quickly.
As both sides are expected to have such more realistic expectations in mind,... North Korea experts say Pyeongyang and Washington are expected to discuss ways to verify North Korea's denuclearizing steps on some of its nuclear facilities.

"As it seems both sides haven't made much progress during their working-level talks,... the two countries are expected to exchange specific plans for implementing the dismantlement of previously-mentioned sites like Punggye-ri and Tongchang-ri,... rather than trying to reach a grander agreement on denuclearization."

"It is expected that the North Korean side may offer invitation of international experts to inspect and verify dismantlement of Tongchang-ri missile test site and the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, as well as Yongbyon nuclear facilities."

Experts also expect Washington's "corresponding measures" will be another key agenda in Hanoi.
While many expect the U.S. to offer North Korea some sanctions exemptions,... the punitive measures are expected to remain to some degree.

"It is still speculative whether there would be some kind of agreement they will have to lift at least a part of existing economic sanctions on North Korea. Because the Trump administration believes that as long as economic sanctions remain in place, North Korean leadership will be under pressure to carry out eventually final and fully verified denuclearization. So the key issue in this second summit meeting between Trump and Kim will not be so much about political and security measures but it will be about economic sanctions."

Experts say further discussions on the repatriation of the remains of U.S. troops killed during the Korean War,... the establishment of liaison offices in both countries,... and some businesses initiatives like inter-Korean projects,... are also expected to be on the table in Hanoi next week.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.