Trump-Kim meeting: Top US commander warns about 'little to no verifiable change' in North Korea's military capabilities

"I remain clear-eyed about the fact that, despite a reduction in tensions along the DMZ and a cessation of strategic provocations coupled with public statements of intent to denuclearize, little to no verifiable change has occurred in North Korea's military capabilities," Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of US Forces Korea, was quoted as saying by the CNN during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Abrams was quoted as saying by CNN that North Korea's "conventional and asymmetric capabilities" continue to put the US, South Korea and allies at risk, making it is necessary for the US military to "maintain a postured and ready force to deter any possible aggressive actions."

The White House last week confirmed that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place in Vietnam on Feb 27-28.

"President @realDonaldTrump and Chairman Kim will meet again on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam," White House tweeted.

This is the second meeting between the two leaders.

They had met for the first time in 2018.

The meeting was held in Singapore city.

During his Tuesday's  State of the Union address, Trump was quoted as saying by CNN, "We continue our historic push for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Our hostages have come home, nuclear testing has stopped and there has not been a missile launch in more than 15 months. If I had not been elected President of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea."

"Much work remains to be done, but my relationship with Kim Jong Un is a good one. Chairman Kim and I will meet again on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam," he said.

The city in Vietnam is still being discussed but the contenders are Hanoi and Da Nang, according to a source familiar with the summit's planning, reported CNN.