Seoul and Pyongyang on Friday agreed to work together to realise a "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula following a historic summit between the two countries' leaders that came after a gap of over a decade.
The agreement was part of a joint declaration issued after South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a summit earlier in the day at the truce border village of Panmunjom, reports Yonhap News Agency.
"South and North Korea affirmed their shared objective of achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through complete denuclearisation," said the declaration signed by both the leaders.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un steps across the Military Demarcation Line and into South Korea. On Friday he will hold talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the southern side of the DMZ https://t.co/hrROWsAgX9 pic.twitter.com/2AKfeHhpxK
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) April 27, 2018
They shared the view that the recent steps that the North had taken were "very meaningful" and "important" for denuclearisation efforts and agreed to do their respective part in that matter, the declaration said.
The two Koreas had earlier agreed to denuclearise their countries and establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula in their two previous summits held in 2000 and 2007.
Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in marked their historic summit with a ceremonial tree-planting ceremony in the demilitarized zone, using water and soil from both Koreas.
— CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2018
Latest updates on the Korean leaders' summit: https://t.co/3UlK3wdk7Q pic.twitter.com/LBYg8ermwn
The talks began at 10.15 a.m., about 45 minutes after Kim crossed the MDL, becoming the first North Korean leader to do so since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018
After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018
"It is good to see you," Kim said to Moon, waiting just south of the MDL for their first-ever encounter that was quickly followed by a handshake.
Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un shared a hug after pledging to officially end the Korean War this year. Read the full text of the agreement: https://t.co/MFk7tAZlFM pic.twitter.com/ppKKx9Kpaj
— CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2018
"I cannot stop my excitement as we meet here at such a historical place. Also, it is very moving that you, Mr. President, have come to Panmunjom, the demarcation line, to greet me," the North Korean leader said.
Kim Jong Un: "I would like to join hands together between the two sides so that we can open up a new chapter in our history" https://t.co/HPSBvNEygi pic.twitter.com/VBlGXXc5lo
— CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2018
Kim surprised many by inviting Moon to briefly cross the inter-Korean border to the North Korean side, which South Korean officials said was not pre-arranged.
Moon expressed his gratitude to Kim for agreeing to hold the summit.
"The moment Chairman Kim crossed the Military Demarcation Line, Panmunjom became a symbol of peace, not a symbol of division. I wish to again express my respect to Chairman Kim Jong-un's decision that made today's discussions possible," the President said
Trump says he is encouraged by the progress made at the Inter-Korean Summit and says he looks forward to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un https://t.co/aawsDzemLj
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 27, 2018
The summit came amid thawing ties this year that followed heightening tensions between the Koreas, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Pyongyang staged nearly a dozen missile tests since Moon took office in May 2017, while also conducting its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September.
This is the moment Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un signed an agreement pledging to end the Korean War https://t.co/9kd0mpKc6B pic.twitter.com/R6KGrZevID
— CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2018
Friday's summit marked the third inter-Korean summit and the first to be held in South Korea.
The leaders' talks ended shortly before noon. Kim returned to his country in a black limousine that crossed the inter-Korean border while surrounded by nearly a dozen North Korean guards.
History was made Friday when Kim Jong Un became the first North Korean leader to cross into South Korean territory since 1953.
— CNN (@CNN) April 27, 2018
The historic Korean summit, in photos: https://t.co/QxTGXf6RNE pic.twitter.com/AndC8l2fop
He will cross the inter-Korean border again later in the day for various events that will include a friendship walk with Moon.
Moon will host a welcoming dinner later in the day for Kim and possibly his wife, Ri Sol-ju.
