Historic Meeting of North and South Korean Leaders, Borders Crossed

For the first time in 65 years since the end of the war on the Korean Peninsula, a North Korean leader has set foot on South Korean soil. The North Korean leader crossed the border for the first time. The meeting of the two Korean leaders is a historic event.

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, crossed the inter-Korean border on foot at Panmunjom and met with Moon Jae-in, the President of South Korea.

President Moon welcomed Mr. Kim at the border line. The leaders of the two countries then walked hand in hand a few steps into North Korean territory and then moved toward South Korean soil.

This event was broadcast directly on television channels. Images of this historic event were immediately distributed to the remotest parts of the world.

The North Korean leader was accompanied by his sister and five high-ranking North Korean officials. Additionally, the military leaders of both countries were also among the attendees.

The meeting place is the “Peace House,” which is located in the demilitarized zone between the two countries. The leaders of the two countries are discussing improving relations between the two countries and establishing lasting peace for the separated countries on the Korean Peninsula.

The South Korean leader will attempt to convince Kim Jong Un to abandon his nuclear program. At the end of this meeting, a joint statement will be signed by the leaders of the two countries. The North Korean leader has promised to speak frankly about Korean domestic issues with the President of South Korea.

Three Meetings of the Two Korean Leaders

It is worth noting that after the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), a ceasefire was formally established, but both countries remained in a state of conflict. Over the past 65 years, this is the third time a meeting between the leaders of the two countries has taken place.

The first meeting took place in June 2000 and the second meeting took place in October 2007 in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.

Preparations for the meeting of the two Korean leaders began in early 2018. The hosting of the Winter Olympic Games in February 2018 brought the two countries closer together and the two enemy countries became friends.

Kim Jong Un’s Next Meeting with Trump

It is scheduled that in June 2018, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, and Kim Jong Un will meet. In the current meeting of the two Korean leaders, the groundwork for this meeting will also be prepared.

Relations between North and South Korea have been severed for years.

North Korea has prevented any dialogue through its nuclear tests.

Since Donald Trump, the President of the United States, came to power, concerns about a widespread war in the region have also increased.

The dispute between the United States and North Korea over North Korea’s weapons program escalated in 2017. The two countries threatened each other with war, and the North Korean army, in addition to missile tests, conducted a nuclear bomb test in September, which is a clear violation of several United Nations resolutions.