ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Today, the two leaders of North and South Korea - together - signing a Declaration of Peace.
"The North Korean leader actually set foot in South Korea, that's never happened before," said Dr. Andrew Latham, an International Security Specialist and Professor of Political Science at Macalester College.
So, why would North Korean President Kim Jong-un agree to a complete denuclearization now, right after developing ballistic missiles?
"I think the sanctions are really biting. They're really hurting him and his regime. The Chinese have been maneuvered into supporting the sanctions in a way that they never have before," said Dr. Latham.
For giving up its nuclear program, North Korea could get those sanctions - which are affecting its economy - lifted.
"If he can get peace on the peninsula, and he can get the sanctions lifted, and he can undertake some economic reforms without giving up political power, this is a win-win-win for him," said Dr. Latham.
Dr. Latham says: it's a win, so far, for President Trump, who tweeted: "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!"
But, the deal for peace isn't official yet. The US and North Korea will need to compromise when the President visits in the coming weeks.
"If President Trump can pull this off, he will be seen as a hero. He'll be seen as one of the more effective foreign policy Presidents in the history of the country," said Dr. Latham.
An important detail from their meeting will be to define denuclearization.
And, the President will have to decide if Kim Jong-un can be trusted with any peace deal.
"There is a nightmare scenario here which is that the deal is done. That the American people insist that the US military come home, and or, the South Korean people insist that the US military get out. And, then at some point in the future, Kim Jong-un decides the moment is ripe and he invades South Korea," said Dr. Latham.