North and South Korea shake hands over end to war
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Friday declared a “common goal of realising a nuclear-free Korean peninsula”.
In a historic joint address the two leaders pledged to begin peace talks with the US, and potentially China, with a view to officially ending the Korean War, which has technically been ongoing since 1950.
In a joint statement after the summit at the South Korean border village of Panmunjom, the two leaders said: “We solemnly declare to our 80m Koreans and the world that there will no more war on the Korean peninsula and a new era of peace has begun. It is our urgent historic assignment to put an end to this current abnormal state of ceasefire and establish a peace regime.”
Details were thin on the ground in the joint statement from the two leaders but it was full to the brim with aspirational goals.
Other commitments made by the two nations include an agreement to “urgently resolve” humanitarian issues of families divided by their border, the halting of all propaganda activities and a visit to Pyongyang for President Moon in the autumn.
North Korean leader Kim said: “We hope we will not repeat our mistake of the past. I hope this will be an opportunity for the two Korean peoples to move freely from North to South. We need to take responsibility for our own history.”
The meeting between the two saw Kim become the first North Korean leader to set foot in South Korea since the end of fighting in 1953 on a day that was heavy with symbolism.
President Moon unabashedly stepped across the border to the North when meeting Kim at the border and the two leaders planted a commemorative pine tree together near Peace House, built to host summits in the demilitarized zone on the Korean border.
Kim, who revealed he had brought Moon some North Korean noodles as a gift from Pyongyang, signed the visitors’ book: “A new history begins now — at the starting point of history, and the era of peace.”
He told reporters: “Walking here, I wondered why it has taken so long.”
In response, Moon told him: “Your visit makes the military demarcation line a symbol of peace, not division.”
Some analysts still remain sceptical of what will follow, however, as the unprecedented statement comes just months after the North Korean leader used war like rhetoric on the international stage.
In a statement, the White House wished the Korean people well, adding: "We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress to a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean peninsula. The US appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for the planned meeting between President Donald J Trump and Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks.”
In the financial market, the pact saw Asian markets finish higher, with all key parts of the MSCI Asia Pacific Index in the black, led by the Hang Seng, Nikkei and Kospi.