Historic summit begins as Kim Jong Un crosses border to meet Moon
New Delhi : Kim Jong Un became the first North Korean leader to step foot on South Korean controlled territory.
North Korea's Kim and South Korea's Moon shook hands while standing on both sides of the military demarcation line before Moon joined Kim on the northern side of the border.
The two leaders then moved into South Korea for historic summit in which they will be discussing the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
The two leaders are also set to discuss a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War of the 1950s.
対面の瞬間 #南北会談 #南北首脳会談 pic.twitter.com/Xaq7b1V5ck
— Marika Katanuma (@MarikaKatanuma) April 27, 2018
The Summit also holds importance as US and North Korea have planned a potential meeting between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.
Following the largely symbolic move at the border on Friday local time, the U.S. voiced optimism that progress could be made on Pyongyang giving up its nuclear weapons.
"On the occasion of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, we wish the Korean people well. We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.
" The United States 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."
