Prior to the summit, Korea observers were cautiously optimistic about the outcome. All the surrounding powers wish them well. For the first time, they are hoping that the two Koreas can work this out, as opposed to figuring out how to carve up the peninsula. Senior officials from both sides hammered out a framework for the summit that downplayed the thorniest issues, including the South's concerns over North Korea's missile program and the North's recurring demand that U.S. troops be withdrawn from the peninsula. Instead, the summit was designed to focus on the issues of family reunions and economic exchange.
Economic cooperation is one topic on the agenda for the upcoming summit.
It is an issue that could help nourish some of North Korea's famine-stricken children. These are the easiest issues to get agreements on. The biggest hope among many Korea watchers going into the summit was that it would lead to further direct engagements between the two leaders. It's the first step in a long process but an extremely important one. Even before the meeting, analysts predicted it would likely take decades to realize a full reconciliation between the two Koreas.