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North and South Korea to end Korean War after 65 years – will work toward denuclearization

Kim Jong Un crossed the border into South Korea at the Demilitarized one (DMZ) to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in. (Twitter)
April 27, 2018

After an historic meeting Friday, the leaders of North and South Korea signed an agreement to officially end the Korean War after 65 years, which will be declared later this year, and to work to denuclearize and establish a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met in the Demilitarized Zone, in Panmunjom, and signed the “Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula.”

The Korean military conflict technically lasted from 1950 to 1953 but was ended with a truce, not a peace treaty.

The two leaders later gave separate speeches about the declaration.

“There will not be any more war on the Korean Peninsula. The new era of peace has finally opened and we are declaring that,” Moon Jae-in said. “Today, chairman Kim and I have agreed that a complete denuclearization will be achieved. That is our common goal. We reaffirm that is our goal. … A complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula will be starting. And for a complete peace to arrive South and North Korea will collaborate closely. I announce that and also we declare the end of the war and also signing the peace treaty. We will totally end the war on the Korean Peninsula and will establish sound and solid peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

“It took a long time for the two Koreas to come together… South and North Korea are the same people, the same blood, they cannot be separated,” Kim Jong Un said.

It is a rare occasion when the world sees the North Korean dictator speak publicly, especially to address the world and speak on the topic of peace. The rhetoric from North Korea over the past year has typically been hostile and aggressive, particularly toward the United States.

The declaration also contains the following points, CNN reported:

  • Quadrilateral meetings to be held with the Koreas, the US and China “with a view to declaring and end to the War.”

  • All hostile acts will be ceased, and the demilitarization zone will be turned into a “peace zone.”

  • A commitment to reunite families separated by the war with family reunion programs to resume on August 15 this year.

  • The establishment of a joint liaison office in Kaeseong, a shared economic zone near the border.

  • Closer diplomatic relations between the two countries, at all levels of government.

  • Joint teams to be sent to international events, starting with the 2018 Asian Games.

This meeting between the Koreas has been highly anticipated and eagerly observed globally.

Kim crossed the Demilitarized Zone early Friday morning into South Korea for the historic meeting.

It marked the first time a sitting North Korean leader has entered South Korean-controlled territory since the Korean War.

The two leaders shook hands across the border line as Kim Jong Un stepped into South Korea.

Moon Jae-in also stepped onto the North Korean side for a brief moment before the men walked together to the Peace House, a conference building on the South Korean side of the border village of Panmunjom where their much-anticipated meeting took place.

“A new history begins now – at the starting point of history and the era of peace,” read the message Kim Jong Un wrote in a guestbook at the Peace House.

The White House had issued a statement Thursday night.

“We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean peninsula,” the statement read. “The United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for Trump and Kim’s summit, expected to be held in May or early June.”

President Trump has said there are potential dates and locations for his highly anticipated summit with North Korea, which is said to be slated for sometime before June.

Trump also tweeted on Friday about the historic Korea summit that had taken place.

“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,” he said.

“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,” Trump added.

He also tweeted about China.

“Please do not forget the great help that my good friend, President Xi of China, has given to the United States, particularly at the Border of North Korea. Without him it would have been a much longer, tougher, process,” the President pointed out.