*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 *

**Remarks Prior to an Expanded Bilateral Meeting With Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un of North Korea and an Exchange With Reporters in Hanoi, Vietnam **

*February 28, 2019 *

*President Trump.* Are you all having a good time in Hanoi?

*Q.* How's it going, Mr. President?

*President Trump.* Everybody having a good time? Everybody? Jeff [Jeff Mason, Reuters]? I hope.

*North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program *

*Q. *Chairman Kim, are you ready to denuclearize? Are you ready to give up your nuclear weapons?

*President Trump.* You'd better be careful.

*Chairman Kim.* If I'm not willing to do that, I won't be here right now.

*President Trump.* That's a good answer. Wow. That might be the best answer you've ever heard. [*Laughter*]

*North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program *

*Q. *Are you willing to take concrete steps to denuclearize or not quite yet?

*Chairman Kim.* That is what we are discussing right now. [*Laughter*]

*President Trump.* And don't raise your voice, please. This isn't like dealing with Trump. [*Laughter*]

*Chairman Kim.* They all seem to be, you know, anxious to know.

*President Trump.* I think they're anxious, and they're calm.

*Human Rights/North Korea-U.S. Relations *

*Q. *Chairman Kim, are you discussing human rights with President Trump?

*President Trump.* We're discussing everything.

So I just want to thank everybody for being here. We're having very productive discussions. We'll see where it all goes. But we are having very productive discussions, and we appreciate it. I think we're having a press conference later on, and we'll then be heading out back to our respective homes.

But yes, I think we've had very, very productive discussions, and the relationship is as good as it's ever been. Better. I think better.

*Q. *Is the time right for a discussion——

[*At this point, President Trump spoke to the interpreter as follows.*]

*President Trump.* Go ahead. Do you want to—you have to talk up. [*The interpreter translated President Trump's previous remarks into Korean.*]

*North Korea-U.S. Relations *

*Q. *President Trump, is the time right for an end of the war with a political declaration?

*President Trump.* A political what?

*Q. *Political statement ending the war. Is the time right for that?

*President Trump.* I think that no matter what happens, we're going to ultimately have a deal that's really good for Chairman Kim and his country and for us. I think, ultimately, that's what's going to happen. That's where it's all leading. It doesn't mean we're doing it in 1 day or 2 days, but it's all leading toward a very big success.

And I really believe that, with this great leadership, I really believe that North Korea is going to be very successful, and economically, it's going to be something very, very special.

Go ahead.

[*The interpreter translated President Trump's previous remarks into Korean.*]

*North Korea-U.S. Relations *

*Q. *Chairman Kim, are you ready to allow the United States to have an office in Pyongyang? Are you ready for that step?

[*An official from the North Korean delegation spoke in Korean, and the interpreter translated his remarks as follows.*]

*Interpreter. *Is it better to leave—let the media go?

*President Trump.* Yes, I think we will. I think we will.

It's actually an interesting question though. I would like to actually hear that answer, because it's actually not a bad idea.

*Chairman Kim.* Well, I think that is something which was welcomable.

*Q. *Is it welcome? Today? It would be announced?

*President Trump.* I actually think it's a good idea. [*Laughter*] Both ways. You know, both ways. I like the idea.

*Chairman Kim.* If you would kindly give us more time between us, because, you know, 1 minute—even 1 minute—is more precious to us. Thank you.

*President Trump.* Thank you all very much. Thank you very much.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:03 a.m. at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel. Chairman Kim and his delegation spoke in Korean, and their remarks were translated by an interpreter.

*Categories:* Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Hanoi, Vietnam; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : North Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim*.*

*Locations: *Hanoi, Vietnam.* *

*Names:* Kim Jong Un*.* *Subjects:* North Korea : Chairman, State Affairs Commission; North Korea : Economic growth and development; North Korea : International diplomatic efforts; Vietnam : President Trump's visit.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201900106.