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Kim Jong Un went off-script during his meeting with the South Korean president — and that could have big implications for Trump

US intelligence officials will be watching the summit closely trying to analyze Kim to help determine the best strategy for dealing with North Korea.

  • Kim Jong Un appeared to go off script twice during the beginning of a summit between the leaders of North and South Korea on Friday.
  • Each moment of the diplomatic affair was carefully planned out, but Kim invited President Moon Jae-in to step across into North Korea, and later he appeared to backtrack one of his jokes.
  • US intelligence officials will be watching the summit closely trying to analyze Kim to help determine the best strategy for dealing with North Korea ahead of Kim's future meeting with President Donald Trump.
  • Kim's spontaneous actions and comments could help build a relationship with Trump, who regularly goes off-script. But it could also spell disaster.

Friday's summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in was planned down to every last footstep.

The two countries even did a joint rehearsal of their two leaders meeting, shaking hands, and walking around the grounds of the Demilitarized Zone using stand-ins to make sure every second was calibrated as best as possible for the world's cameras.

But for a moment on Friday, Kim went completely off script.

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After shaking hands with Moon and stepping across the border line into South Korea, Kim invited Moon to step back into North Korea with him.

The South Korean president's residence, The Blue House, confirmed the moment was "unscheduled." According to a spokesman, Moon asked Kim, "When do I get to visit the North," to which Kim replied "Why don't you just come over to the North side now?"

The sudden invite didn't appear to worry Moon, who was seen laughing and talking with Kim, before the two paused for a handshake on the North Korean side.

At another point, Kim appeared to go off script again joking about the famous cold noodles he had brought in from Pyongyang, which is "far."

"I suppose I shouldn't say 'far' now," he seemed to quickly backtrack.

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But the two moments, however light-hearted, will probably be taken very seriously by the US intelligence community.

Kim is an incredibly secretive leader

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