21 gun salutes, 20-thousand screaming supporters Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un played up their ties ahead of a key meeting with Donald Trump.
The Chinese president's two-day state visit to Pyeongyang and how this may influence the future of denuclearization talks between North Korea's Kim, U.S. President Trump and other relevant parties.
Let's take an in-depth look. Joining me live on the line is Dr. Kim Hyun-wook, Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

Professor Kim, lovely to have you on the program.



We've learned that Kim has signaled a willingness to compromise in the stalled nuclear talks with the U.S. while Xi pledged assistance for North Korea's efforts to ensure its own security and development.
What do they mean by this? In other words, what kind of changes can we expect in denuclearization talks judging from those remarks?

There have been forecasts that the summit would produce very little outwardly - perhaps something just routine... which appears to be the case from what we've seen so far.
What are some key observation points that we may be able to see AND those that won't be on explicit display? For instance, what kind of give and takes do you think the two leaders exchanged?

The Kim, Xi summit yesterday kicks off a series of summits in the next few weeks. How do you expect Xi Jinping to use this new North Korea card when he sits down with the U.S. president... especially on the G20 stage where we expect a flurry of summit diplomacy to take place, as well?

China's Xi Jinping appears to be venturing the possiblity of playing the middle man between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Where does this place South Korea in this entire process? What about President Moon's mediator role?

Kim Hyun-wook, Professor at Korea National Diplomatic Academy - one of our go-to experts on foreign affairs and international relations - many thanks for speaking to us today. We appreciate it.