welcome to bbc news — i'm reged ahmad — our top stories. after the us—south korea summit — a possible meeting with north korean leader kim jong—un, president trump says he's proud to be pushing for peace. i'm mariko oi live at the border between the two koreas, where a sudden rush of twitter diplomacy has made this historic meeting a real possibility. in other news: nearly a month after sudan's brutal crackdown, hundreds return to the streets of the capital, demanding civilian rule. thousands march through georgia's capital, tbilisi, in a 10th day of anti—russian demonstrations. huge crowds take to the streets of new york to celebrate the city's annual pride events —

following the 50th anniversary of the iconic stonewall riots. hello and welcome. president trump says he's hoping to meet the north korean leader, kim jong—un, when he visits the fortified strip dividing the two koreas shortly. he told a banquet in south korea he was trying to work out a meeting at the demilitarised zone. he invited mr kim in an apparently spontaneous tweet from the 620 summit injapan on saturday. a news conference is about to go ahead shortly. we will show you the scene live and we will speak to our correspondent mariko oi who is near

the zone. as you can probably see behind me, the barbed wire which divides the two countries which are technically still at war from the korean war of the 1950s but as you said, president trump and president moon are about to hold a press conference. they had been holding a bilateral summit over the last few hours and we had been hearing from president trump and president moon jae—in and the language suggests they are more optimistic about this meeting. president trump and kim jong—un met twice, followed by the summit in hanoi, in february. the singapore summit provided a good photo opportunity but the hanoi summit did not go as well as expect it. president trump is hoping this

can kickstart the negotiations. for more analysis, as we waited a press conference, the language that we heard from president trump and president moonjae—in, it seems like they are more optimistic? it would bea they are more optimistic? it would be a surprise if it doesn't happen. if you look at the events of yesterday, the north koreans responded in new hours to the tweet from president trump and that north korean message was very positive and with heard rumours of meetings, midnight meetings to set it up and president trump has been indicating it's something in the works and we may see a handshake at least pretty soon. this could be a gigantic photo. there is less pressure on the two lea d e rs photo. there is less pressure on the two leaders to come to anything. but nothing has really changed when it comes to the difference in opinions between the us and north korea. wide

and depends on how you define it. it's a focused on north korea's nuclear capabilities. if that is the yardstick, there has been some progress. but no, we had a very long way to go but if you look but this isa way to go but if you look but this is a fundamental transformation in the relationship between the usa and north korea. then it is historic, when the us president goes to the dmz, instead of staring through binoculars, he says, hey, let's get together at least sha ke binoculars, he says, hey, let's get together at least shake hands and continues process. sometimes we are to dismissive of symbolism. that's what politics is and what they are trying to do is change the political relationship between the two countries. he was asked if he would

ta ke countries. he was asked if he would take a step into north korea and he said, why not? at the same time, if he really does that, he would become the first sitting us president to do so. the first sitting us president to do so. that's right. this is when a highly unconventional approach of president trump actually can do some positive things. if this happens, we also have to recognise that we need to rethink who is kimjong—un also have to recognise that we need to rethink who is kim jong—un and his willingness to do some on the spur of the moment, this will be a political risk for him as well. the fa ct political risk for him as well. the fact that you can send him a tweet and say i'm going to be in your neighbourhood, do you want to get together, and it might actually happen, that's a very different kind of north korean leader. that's part of north korean leader. that's part of what is driving this whole process , of what is driving this whole process, that kim jong—un of what is driving this whole process, that kimjong—un is of what is driving this whole process, that kim jong—un is willing to change the nature of the relationship between north korea and other countries including the united states. that's quite positive. as you said, the presidents probably

have more to gain in terms of boosting their posture —— popularity at home but it is risky for kim jong—un. if you didn't show off, would it be worse? you have to remember north korea can control its information environment much more than south korea and the united states. north koreans have very limited access. they don't even know there is a chance of a meeting today. the meeting doesn't happen, even a small number of north koreans know it only came close. kim jong moon is under less scrutiny. president trump is already said, if it doesn't happen, i've already gained that out. no skin my back. both moonjae—in gained that out. no skin my back. both moon jae—in and gained that out. no skin my back. both moonjae—in and donald trump, they can play that up as well. what does it mean for moonjae—in? we we re does it mean for moonjae—in? we were talking about that first

meeting between kim jong—un and were talking about that first meeting between kimjong—un and moon jae—in but since the collapse of the hanoi talks, north korea seems to be kind of a lot more cold towards south korea. that's right. this is not a surprise that there is a triangular relationship year. what south korea wants to do, in terms of improving inter— korean relations, start with a reconciliation but also getting into top security issues like this border they have which is a militarised border. the present wa nts to a militarised border. the present wants to get economic cooperation, so wants to get economic cooperation, so he's got a big agenda. they were making progress on that agenda but because the us north korea piece was also moving and i have to keep moving in sync so the president, he certainly wa nts moving in sync so the president, he certainly wants to see a handshake and also wants to see that handshake kind of reboot and boost the process. that allows him to move ahead with the inter— korean peace. thank you so much for now. we are

seeing the live pictures from the press c0 nfe re nce . seeing the live pictures from the press conference. they will be making their way to the demilitarised zone where mariko 0i might —— kimjong—un might show up butjohn thinks that could be a possibility. we'll continue monitoring and seeing when the press conference starts. we are continuing to monitor that's news conference which should get under way shortly. i was wondering, what is the best that can come out of this? in terms of trying to work towards denuclearisation. as john said, it's a symbolic and historic meeting it was to go ahead, if donald trump and kimjong moon was to go ahead, if donald trump and kim jong moon meet was to go ahead, if donald trump and kimjong moon meet in that was to go ahead, if donald trump and kim jong moon meet in that zone which divides the two countries. the

huge difference between the us and north korea when it comes to the denuclearisation process, north korea wants or sanctions lifted before kim jong—un does anything else but america wants to see progress in denuclearisation. there are progress in denuclearisation. there a re clear progress in denuclearisation. there are clear differences between the two countries which will still need to be bridged. we are seeing the live pictures of the press conference which is a data start. you can see the two leaders walking down the stairs. they're about to call the press conference. the two leaders met last night over dinner after president trump flew into south korea from the 620 summit in 0saka. audio

south korea from the 620 summit in osaka. audio translation unavailable. audio translation unavailable. we arejust audio translation unavailable. we are just watching the south korean president moonjae—in begin that news c0 nfe re nce president moonjae—in begin that news conference that many people have been looking forward to. donald trump is there as well, the us president. we saw both leaders walked down the stairs just a short time ago. that news conference is going to continue and then

afterwards, we believe the us president and the south korean president will continue to gather to visit the demilitarised zone. let's have a listen in. translation: this is something we will be able to see for ourselves today. south and north will be able to become confident about peace in the world will provide support and cheer on president trump and chairman kim with high expectations. what we need here is enduring peace on the korean peninsula. i hope that president trump will go down in history as a president that has achieved peace on the korean peninsula. peace requires more courage than conflict. i would like to extend my appreciation to the two leaders for being so brave and i'm very overwhelmed with emotions because we have been able

to prove the way towards peace for the korean peninsula. it's the only viable option for achieving complete denuclearisation of the korean peninsula. today, president trump andi peninsula. today, president trump and i have reaffirmed where on the same page when it comes to denuclearisation and we share common goals. in particular, as complete peace building on the peninsula and normalisation of relations between north korea and the usa was agreed on the singapore agreement, we agree this is vitally important. to that end, i hope dialogue between the us and dprk will resume as soon as possible and i hope there will be a promise made between the leaders of the two countries together with the people of the republic of korea.

and... not only the security for the broad us alliance has become a comprehensive strategic alliance, that strengthens cooperation in not only security but also the economic region and global issues by such a steadfast alliance is working as the linchpin for regional peace and prosperity and we have decided to continue in co—ordination. translation: as president trump said, i believe this is great. today, our two leaders have agreed to further accelerate the momentum to further accelerate the momentum to expand trade and investment and further expand the alliance to a mutually reciprocal advice are two countries will continue to work closely as strong allies. the asia—pacific region is a core region for peace and prosperity for both

countries. under openness, inclusiveness and transparency, i believe the two strategies can find common ground. recently, we have shared our concerns related to the attack on the oil tankers in the 6ulf attack on the oil tankers in the gulf of vermont. freedom a passage in transit in the gulf of oman is very important for the stability of the middle east. i have high regard for the careful restraint showed by president trump and we have agreed to co—operate for stability in the middle east. we will not forget the history and spirit of the great alliance. we will work in close cooperation with this visit to the republic of korea, we have once again reaffirmed our common objectives and strategies and i'm glad and heartened by this. we look

to work very closely and be frank and open with our discussions on communications to strongly solidify and develop the alliance. president trump is the maker of peace on the korean peninsula. we really other peacemaker of the korean peninsula. i hope this meeting will bring hope to the people of south and north korea and you will be a master in the history of humankind towards peace. i would like to extend my warmest welcome. ourfriendship peace. i would like to extend my warmest welcome. our friendship will continue to grow deeper and greener as the leaves of early summer. i will be meeting with him and i look forward to it, we have developed a good relationship and we understand each other, i do believe he understands me and i think i understand him. and sometimes that

can lead to very good things. i want to start by thanking the president and very importantly the first lady, she is a very special woman, a special spirit, she loves the country very much and we had a great dinner last night together and spent a large part of the morning discussing different things including trade and military and many other items. but i thought i would mention that when we came here, a great ambassador, we are arrived last night, i ambassador here is someplace, we were talking about the turmoil going on because of the level of, there was the vitriol of all —— level that was

happening between north and south but it was not too large extent where there was a lot of risk and threat and a lot of bad things happening, that is for a game president, you know and the media knows very well, they covered it very well and very fairly, at the beginning there was a lot of anger between myself and kim jong—un who since something happened, there was appointed which it happened and all ofa appointed which it happened and all of a sudden, we get along. and i figured that when i was injapan, they hosted a fantastic t20, and i wa nt to they hosted a fantastic t20, and i want to just thank the prime minister because they did a fantastic job and a minister because they did a fantasticjob and a lot of good things came out of that, a lot of good meetings with other countries, ican good meetings with other countries, i can tell you from the standpoint of the united states. but we decided to come here a while ago as part of

going to the 620, i promised president moonjae—in, i was the can, i'm here, let's say hello to kim jong—un. and i can, i'm here, let's say hello to kimjong—un. and i put up the can, i'm here, let's say hello to kim jong—un. and i put up the word and he got back and he wanted to do it from the beginning and so did i, but there's a lot of good feeling when sometimes the media will say what has happened? they know what's happened. what has happened is that there was nuclear testing, there was ballistic missal testing, they had hostages of ours, as you know. very tough situation. and now we're getting back our remains, we got back the hostages, there has been no ballistic assault tests and there has been no nuclear tests and south korea as a whole different place. japan, the prime minister was telling me that japan japan, the prime minister was telling me thatjapan is japan, the prime minister was telling me that japan is a whole different place. they had missiles going overjapan on a constant basis. you know that very well. so i

hate to hear the media give false information to the public when they say, what has been done? what has been done? a lot has been done. there's also a good feeling. i can tell you on behalf of the president, he feels much better about even chairman kim jong—un. they couldn't have meetings, no—one was going to meet, president obama wanted to meet, president obama wanted to meet, and chairman kimjong—un would i beat meet, and chairman kimjong—un would ibeat him. meet, and chairman kimjong—un would i beat him. the administration was begging for a meeting, they were begging for a meeting, they were begging for a meeting, they were begging for meetings constantly, and chairman kim would not eat with them. —— meet with him. let's see what happens. we have a long way to 90, what happens. we have a long way to go, iam what happens. we have a long way to go, i am in what happens. we have a long way to go, iam in no what happens. we have a long way to go, i am in no rush. what happens. we have a long way to go, iam in no rush. the what happens. we have a long way to go, i am in no rush. the sections are on, and i am in no rush. i am with no rush —— in no rush, i am neverin with no rush —— in no rush, i am never in a rush. if you are in a

rush you get yourself in trouble. so ijust want rush you get yourself in trouble. so i just want to say that we're going be heading out to the dmc and something i planned long ago, but had the idea yesterday to maybe say hello, just shake hands and say hello. because we haven't seen each other since vietnam. we had a great meeting in vietnam, people don't realise it, it's all part of the whole negotiation. we had a great meeting and get numb, we had a great meeting and get numb, we had a great meeting in singapore. everyone gave us meeting in singapore. everyone gave us praise for singapore add—on for vietnam, i think frankly, the meeting in vietnam in terms of a deal was more important than singapore. so, what i'd like to do is we will take one or two questions asi is we will take one or two questions as i understand it, and then i'm going to head out to the dmc and pay my respects to everybody, including some soldiers, we have tremendous literary here. and south korea,

we're going to see some of our great american soldiers that we took to them, andi american soldiers that we took to them, and i will be seeing kim jong—un. and if you would, you could start with a question. thank you.

we arejust we are just watching a news conference under way with president trump, the us president. and moon jae—in, the south korean president, probably the most watched news coming out of this, the announcement that the south korean president has made that donald trump will meet kim jong—un at the demilitarised zone. for the moment when i'm getting translation for questions but we will grab activate as soon as we can. and we do get some sort of

translation. let's listen in again. this morning you mentioned you would accompany president trump to the dmc, but the focus of the dialogue will be between the president trump and kim jong—un. you will be between the president trump and kimjong—un. you are looking forward to regress being achieved there, once contact is established between president trump and chairman kim, what kind of progress to expect in the subsequent negotiations and how about the possibility of a third us and north korea summit happening before the end of the year was to mark a method question relates to the written interview that you had given to various agencies recently and in that interview you had mentioned that if north korea under com plete mentioned that if north korea under complete inspection, verification from the international community, if north korea dismantles the nuclear complex in their country, the

international community could explore the sanctions relief stop has there been discussions regarding this issue this morning? and what was the response from the us side? just watching the news conference that with donald trump, president of the united states and moonjae—in, to the president of south korea. we

are waiting for a translation to come in on this answer that the president is given, he was asked a question about the possibility of a third north korean summit and sanctions relief and north korea. but of course the most interesting thing so far has been the news that donald trump will be meeting kim jong—un on the border of the demilitarised zone. let's go to our correspondence was near the demilitarised zone for us. that is big news that is —— that kimjong—un will be there. as seems like twitter diplomacy worked in the end, the president of south korea confirming that kim jong—un will be there when resident trump and moonjae—in arrive later this afternoon. it was interesting to hear from arrive later this afternoon. it was interesting to hearfrom president trump talking about how the media keeps talking about the hanoi summit as somewhat failed but he thought

that the progress was made. and that it's good to keep talking and that he looks forward to meeting with kim jong—un later this afternoon. let's bring back in our correspondence from the university. what did you make of the announcement and the speeches? i can't say i'm surprised. there are a lot of indicators that this is going to happen and that everyone wanted it to happen. now we have to see a couple of things. our longer this last? they are preparing us longer this last? they are preparing us for a two—minute handshake, it could be a bit more than that. we will have to see. and what is the impact going to be? one of the problems that we see in the process is that you have a high level political commitment among the three keep residents, and what we've seen asa keep residents, and what we've seen as a pattern whether working level than does not —— is not able to make any progress. one key question of whether this meeting is a success or failure, as we will only see it

later in the week to come. do we see the teams, the north korean and american teams, and they get back to their meetings and that is something that in the last 24 hours they are working on. when the two leaders made, the teams have to meet you set it up. as i continue to have an effect in the wake of this handshake? in and of itself, this is a very powerful step, this is taken at the initiative of the american president to go right up to the border of north korea and put out his hand. and i'm thinking about resident obama who said, early on as administration, if you unclench your fist, i will outstretched administration, if you unclench your fist, iwill outstretched i had. he was president trump literally at stretching his hand. this is something hopefully the american public and get behind because it's about changing the relationship between two countries are not just to individuals was docked train make it less hostile. we are hearing helicopter noise, wondering whether

that's the media. that's listen to president trump answering a question. it could be very good as far as another meeting, that's see what happens today before we start thinking about that. it could be very important. let's see, a question. go ahead, next. thank you mr president, i hope you will indulge me to get one question, i'm ready try to make it count. why do you want to step into north korea and what do you think that handshake

could actually accomplish? nothing has subsequently changed since hanol has subsequently changed since hanoi, north korea has tested short range missiles, wider is kim jong—un deserve this moment? and how do you respond to the critics who say it's nothing more than a photo opportunity you are legitimising a nuclear state. i need to get in one china clarification, which is, your agreement with the president, does that bring you back to the point in april where they had made a lot of concessions on ip and that sort of stuff you back in november, back at the beginning of the process? two varied distinct questions. we have major men distress, only the fake news says they won't. if you look againi news says they won't. if you look again i would have to repeat it, when we were two and a half years ago, i think i can say the hatred that everybody had for everybody and where it was going and i said that if president obama ‘s term was for some reason extended through any

method including having a successor that thought the way that administration thought, you would be right now at war with north korea. and it would be pretty, it would be tough. we have the greatest military in the world i far, we tough. we have the greatest military in the world ifar, we have tough. we have the greatest military in the world i far, we have a greater military now than we had two and a half years ago. we reported on it. and we bought your mentor ‘s equipment from jets to ships to equipment from jets to ships to equipment for soldiers. equipment from jets to ships to equipment forsoldiers. but equipment from jets to ships to equipment for soldiers. but we are ina much equipment for soldiers. but we are in a much different place right now. then we were 2.5 years ago. much different. the previous administration wanted to talk. i would ask them, they talking? and not everything happens talk. bad things happen with talk to. but we are certified advance from where we we re are certified advance from where we were 2.5 years ago that it's always insulting and i think it's by the press frankly has lost such credibility to stop have lost credibility to stop have lost credibility but to think that we are comparing where we are now 22 one

half years ago, in