PYONGYANG – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un became the first leader of the state to set foot in South Korea by crossing the military line dividing the peninsula since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
Mr Kim crossed the military border on Friday, shook hands with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in in South Korea, posed for a picture and then requested his counterpart to cross over into North Korean region, where both shook hands again.
The leaders were met by an honour guard on the South Korean side. The duo then walked to the Peace House in Panmunjom where Kim penned his comments.
“A new history begins now – at the starting point of history and the era of peace,” read the message Mr Kim wrote in the guestbook at the Peace House.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader North Korea have shaken hands to kick off their historic summit https://t.co/GJqAlzKNoV pic.twitter.com/uxWGljnEJD
— CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2018
Moon’s senior spokesman said Kim joked he would make sure not to interrupt Moon’s sleep anymore, in a veiled reference to North’s series of early morning missile tests, which have now been suspended.
After the historic moments, captured in lenses and eyes, the first session broke up and the pair will have lunch separately.
Mr Kim has returned to North Korea in a black limousine for lunch but will cross back over the border in the afternoon to resume discussions.
In the evening, the leaders will plant a pine tree using soil and water from both countries, to symbolise “peace and prosperity”.
After the plantation of a tree, the leaders will walk together before starting the next round of talks. The landmark summit will conclude with the leaders signing an agreement and delivering a joint statement before dinner.
Mr Kim is flanked by nine officials, including his sister, Kim Yo-jong and the visit is seen as a precursor of Donald Trump’s meeting with Kim Jon un in coming months.
