Historic Korean Summit wraps with bold pledges to end War

World Today

A historic handshake at one of the most heavily militarized areas in the world. South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Bold pledges to pursue permanent peace, but a vague agreement on disarmament of the Korean Peninsula came out of the Intra-Korean Summit. The two Korean leaders said they would work with China and the U.S. this year to officially end the Korean War.

CGTN’s Jack Barton reports.

On Friday Kim Jong-un become the first DPRK leader to step foot in the ROK, clasping hands with President Moon.

Then, an unscripted surprise as both leaders momentarily stepped north of the demilitarized zone’s demarcation line.

Back in the south there was a red carpet honor guard fit for a 16th century King, representing a unified past both Koreas embrace.

Then official talks at the ‘Peace House’ summit center started off with jokes including Kim telling Moon he can now sleep-in, indicating no more nuclear or missile tests.

A pledge in jest later formalized in a document unveiled by the two leaders at the Panmunjom joint security area.

At the presentation Moon praised peace efforts by Pyongyang including the recent halt to weapons tests.

“It is very significant that North Korea took a measure of first freezing its nuclear weapons program,” said Moon. “It will be a valuable start for the complete denuclearization on Korean peninsula. I clearly declare that the South and North will closely cooperate for the complete denuclearization.”

Kim Jong Un insisted that the missteps of the past would not be repeated.

“We will make efforts to create good results by communicating closely, in order to make sure our agreement signed today before the entire world, will not end as just a beginning like previous agreements before today,” said Kim.

What is now known as the ‘Panmunjom Document’ also outlined steps for both Koreas to work with the U.S. and China to strike a formal peace agreement to replace the truce signed in 1953.

Family reunions will also once again be permitted and steps will be taken to boost humanitarian assistance.

As the final dinner wrapped up, attended by the first ladies of the DPRK and South Korea, local media said another meeting between Kim and Moon is likely to happen in Pyongyang in autumn and that the two leaders had pledged to keep in contact via their new hotline until that time.