Inter-Korean summit begins in Pyongyang By Kim Yoo-chul, Joint Press Corps

President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un react to citizens lining the roads to Pyongyang, Tuesday,
on their way to the Baekhwawon State Guest House from Sunan International Airport. Yonhap

SEOUL/PYONGYANG ― President Moon Jae-in began talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to seek momentum in denuclearization, following his arrival in Pyongyang for a three day summit, Tuesday.

Their first talks of the third summit took place at the headquarters of the Workers’ Party of North Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang for 90 minutes starting at 3:30 p.m.

Seoul’s spy chief Suh Hoon and National Security Office (NSO) head Chung Eui-yong attended, while the North was represented by Kim Yong-chol, a senior ruling party official and the first lady Kim Yo-jong, according to presidential secretary Yoon Young-chan in a media briefing at a main press center set up in Dongdaemun, Seoul.

This is the first time a South Korean president has been to the WPK headquarters, where Kim’s office is located. President Moon is also the first head of state to hold a summit with Kim in Pyongyang since the latter took power.

“From that perspective, we believe this is great hospitality that has never been seen before, as Kim flew to China and Singapore for summits with other leaders,” Yoon said.

“The leaders of the two Koreas undertook a comprehensive review of key pending issues that need to be addressed properly. The two also searched for specific ways to advance various inter-Korean projects. However, South Korea is committed to abiding by all U.N. Security Council sanctions, and the talks for greater economic cooperation with the North were done in accordance with these,” Yoon said.

Regarding whether Kim brought up sanctions relief as well as a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended in an armistice, the presidential secretary said their first meeting was more like a “casual chat” touching on issues “broadly.”

Cheong Wa Dae said further specifics and details of Tuesday’s Moon-Kim meeting will be released at around 8:30 p.m. after the arrival of pool reports from Korean journalists in the North Korean capital.

Moon is the first South Korean leader in more than a decade to visit Pyongyang, and this time, he aims to persuade Kim to hold another summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in order to break a deadlock in denuclearization talks.

As widely expected, Kim emerged from the Sunan International Airport terminal to raucous cheering and slowly walked with his wife to greet President Moon.

The two leaders embraced, exchanged light talk and flashed wide smiles. Moon then shook hands with top-profile North Korean officials before reviewing a North Korean honor guard for 15 minutes accompanied by military music.

Later, the two leaders arrived at the Baekhwawon State Guest House after a “rare open-roof car parade” through the main streets of Pyongyang. Recorded pool footage showed the two leaders in a black convertible limousine smiling and waving to chanting residents, almost all of them dressed in traditional Korean clothing.

Expect for a convoy of sedans and motorcycles, no other vehicles were seen along the neat and clean designated route.

Following the first talks of the third summit, Moon will be treated to a banquet and watch cultural performances featuring K-pop stars Ailee and Zico, and the North’s Samjiyon Orchestra at a theater in Pyongyang. During the first inter-Korean summit, South Korean girl group Red Velvet and veteran singer Cho Yong-pil were among those who performed in the North’s capital.

While getting a specific timeline and details for North Korea’s denuclearization is at the top of President Moon’s agenda for the summit, Yoon said it was highly unlikely the two would agree on a detailed timeframe towards a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

“We can figure it out, but we have to wait,” he said.

Before his departure for Pyongyang, President Moon said he was seeking “permanent peace,” which is irreversible and can be sustained regardless of external factors.

Business leaders held separate meetings with senior North Korean officials in charge of handling economic affairs to underline the potential economic rewards for North Korea should it denuclearize, although deals cannot be realized until economic sanctions imposed on the North are lifted.

Cheong Wa Dae said the summit will run through Wednesday morning and added if the talks go well, the leaders plan to hold a joint news conference.

Source:.koreatimes.co.kr