Adding fuel to such concerns was a remark that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made in a media interview earlier this month that the “security of American people” is the ultimate objective of the U.S. in its dealings with the North.

Hong said that whatever agreement is reached at the second summit, it is unlikely to include detailed procedures for complete denuclearization. And that could, in turn, prompt criticism and concern that the U.S. might be resigned to a nuclear North Korea.

“Therefore, the second summit‘s agreement must include the point that complete denuclearization of North Korea, along with security guarantees for the North, are the ultimate objective both sides are seeking,” the expert said.

During their first-ever summit in Singapore in June, Trump committed to provide security guarantees to North Korea and Kim reaffirmed his commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Yet speculation emerged that the Trump administration might have shifted its focus away from denuclearization to the elimination of intercontinental ballistic missiles as a more realistic accomplishment. (Yonhap)