Kim and Moon were meeting Friday in a border village in talks aimed at curtailing the North’s nuclear arms aspirations.
Advertisement
Then audiences watched in surprise as Mr Kim invited the South Korean president to step briefly across the demarcation line into North Korea, before the pair stepped back into South Korea – all the while holding hands.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says he’s ready for “heartfelt, sincere and honest” talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on pending issues and that the Koreas must not repeat the past where they were “unable to fulfill our agreements”.
In response, the ratings appraisers said they would keep close tabs on developments involving the two Koreas and determined that the South Korean economy is on a firm growth track.
The possibility of officially ending the Korean war, which was halted by the armistice signed in 1953, and securing permanent peace for the peninsula, may also be discussed at the summit.
“I am happy to meet you”, Mr Moon told Mr Kim, reports say.
Earlier media reported about the completion of the first round of talks between the DPRK and South Korea. Kim has reportedly said that he wouldn’t need nuclear weapons if his government’s security could be guaranteed and external threats were removed.
As the leader left after the morning session of talks, a dozen of them were given a pre-lunch work-out, jogging alongside and behind Kim’s official vehicle to form a human shield, ties flapping as they ran. Crossing the border, the vehicle had to drive across a lawn, as there is not a road linking the two sides at that spot. In addition, they will also plant the memorial tree at Panmunjom village.
Earlier, Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line where the men smiled and shook hands.
An historic handshake at the most heavily fortified border in the world on Friday symbolized the hope that two Koreas could create a lasting rapprochement – but failed efforts in the past weighed heavily over the moment.
Since making her first appearance at an official event in 2011 – the funeral of her father-in-law, Kim Jong Il – Ri has walked a vastly different path to her predecessors, occupying a role more similar to the wife of a western leader.
“A new history begins now – at the starting point of history and the era of peace”, read the message Mr Kim wrote in a guestbook.
The two leaders took a commemorative photo on the first floor of the Peace House and then went on the second floor for a formal talk.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders some images where Pompeo could be seen shaking hands with the North Korean leader.
Expectations are low, given that past so-called breakthroughs on North Korea’s weapons have collapsed amid acrimonious charges of cheating and bad faith.
Moon, in his turn suggested that they “engage in frank talks and reach a bold agreement” as a gift to the whole Korean people, who want peace.
The head of North Korea’s national intelligence service, Kim Yong Chol, began clapping and others from both sides joined in.
“The easing of tension and the possibility of a peace treaty coming on the horizon are bullish for the won and KOSPI”, said Mingze Wu, FX trader of global payments for INTL FCStone Ltd in Singapore. Almost 28,500 troops were sent to South Korea by the United States.
Kim replied to Moon that if Moon invites him to the Blue House, he will accept it.
Advertisement
North Korea, which has continued to advance its missile and nuclear weapons programs in defiance of the worldwide community, has expressed its commitment to denuclearization in recent months and also announced a halt of nuclear tests and long-range missile launches less than a week before the summit.
