Kim and his wife Heesong were both born in South Korea, but have parents from the north.
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Their historic meeting, which saw for the first time saw a North Korean leader venture south of the demarcation line between the two Koreas, came after a year of often escalating tensions between the USA and North Korea over the North’s testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, ramping up fears of a potential attack on the US mainland. Right now, there is no diplomatic relationship or peace treaty between the two countries.
The parade ended at Peace House where Kim took a moment to sign the guest book.
Donald Trump also praised the summit, saying: “Korean war to end!”
Although ties between North and South Korea are growing stronger, there are still significant challenges.
“I don’t trust them to end that nuclear program”, Davis said.
When asked what would constitute success for President Moon’s summit with Kim, Kang suggested a joint statement of understanding “on a broad set of issues” including denuclearization, peace, and relations between the two countries.
Kim on Friday became the first North Korean leader to step foot in South Korea when he crossed the border to shake the hand of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. “So whatever we agree to, there’s got to be a very tough verification regime”, Morell said.
Thousands of American troops-many of them from Utah-died in the Korean War.
Rocky Kim has seen the smiles and handshakes between North Korean dictators and foreign government leaders before, and every time, he has been disappointed when nothing changes.
The Prize: South Korean President Kim Dae-jung receives a Nobel Peace Prize. Laughing, the two together momentarily stepped over the border marker into the North’s side of the demilitarized zone. Only the United States and the United Nations can do it. He hopes one day he and his father may meet them.
While speaking to U.S. athletes who competed at the South Korea Winter Olympics earlier on Friday, President Trump said he hoped both sides would someday live in harmony, prosperity and peace. The two men are expected to meet in May or June.
But the declaration does not stipulate how or when North Korea will abandon its nuclear weapons, and Kim did not mention denuclearization.
Still, Trump told reporters, he would maintain pressure on North Korea and “not repeat the mistakes of past administrations”.
As Trump welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Oval Office, he sounded a more cautious tone. But he noted on Twitter that “only time will tell” if those goals are reached.
At the same time, Duyon Kim believes that Kim Jong-UN was easy to agree with this statement, because it “reproduces their position in the last time”, and, from the perspective of Pyongyang denuclearization will include significant concessions from the USA regarding their military presence in South Korea.
Brian Padden reported this story for VOANews.com.
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