North Korean leader crosses DMZ
line in effort to reduce hostility
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the border into South Korea on Friday and has started talks on nuclear weapons with President Moon Jae-in for a historic summit.
It was the
first time a member of the Kim dynasty was known to set foot on South Korean
soil since 1953. The two men shook hands and smiled for news cameras.
The meeting
comes weeks before Kim plans to sit down with President Donald Trump. The rogue
nation's nuclear capabilities are expected to be a major topic of discussion
during the summit with the U.S. leader.
The historic
meeting of the two Korean leaders was scheduled down to the last detail.
Thousands of journalists were kept in a huge conference center well away from
the summit, except for a small group of tightly-controlled pool reporters at
the border.
"I feel
like I'm firing a flare at the starting line in the moment of (the two Koreas)
writing a new history in North-South relations, peace and prosperity," Kim
said. Moon responded that there were high expectations that they create an
agreement that will be a "big gift to the entire Korean nation and
every peace loving person in the world."
Upon their initial meeting, Moon and Kim shook hands with the border line between them. Moon then invited Kim to cross into the South, and, after he did so, Kim grasped Moon's hand and led him into the North and then back into the South. They took a ceremonial photo facing the North and then another photo facing the South.
Moon and Kim
were set to plant a pine tree together on the borderline, using dirt from both
the North and South's mountains and rivers, before beginning formal
talks.
They also
were expected to discuss ways to both improve relations and settle the 1950-53
Korean War, which was halted with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
Kim said he
was ready for "heartfelt, sincere and honest" discussions with Moon,
adding the Koreas shouldn't repeat past situations where they were "unable
to fulfill our agreements."
The White
House said in a statement, "We wish the Korean people well" during
the summit, which is also expected to have a heavy focus on North Korea's
arsenal of nuclear weapons.
"We are
hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and
prosperity for the entire Korean peninsula," the statement read. "The
United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of
Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation"
for Trump and Kim's summit, expected to be held in May or early June.
Friday's summit may indicate whether peaceful negotiations to remove North Korea's weapons are possible. Expectations generally have been low as the North, which engaged in previous talks to denuclearize, has pulled out of such discussions.
While it's unclear whether Moon and Kim will make progress regarding the North's nuclear arsenal, advocates of engagement have said the only way to get a deal is to sit down for a talk, which Moon and Kim are scheduled to do, and see what's possible.