For the records, no US president serving in office has ever negotiated directly with a North Korean leader

Technically, the two countries are still at war.  The Korean War ended in 1953 not with a peace treaty, but an armistice.

Under the current US administration, the relationship's been especially tempestuous.  Trump has threatened to destroy North Korea, deriding its leader as "Rocket Man".  Kim, on the other hand, described Trump as "mentally deranged."



It is important to state that never before has a US president prepared for a summit of this importance - with so few people and in such a short time.




It is hoped that when President Trump finally meets Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, by the end of May things go well.