Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Proposal to hold three-way (South-North-US) or four-way (South-North-US-China) summits

President Moon Jae-in to visit Pyeongyang this fall

Agreed to have General-level military talks in May, establish North-South joint liaison office in Gaeseong and hold events such as reunions for separated families

North and Republic of Korea have declared a permanent ceasefire this year, in the 65th year since the armistice agreement, and agreed to change the armistice agreement to a peace agreement.

To build a permanent and firm peace system on the Korean Peninsula, the two Koreas have agreed to pursue three-way (South-North-US) or four-way (South-North-US-China) talks. In addition, President Moon Jae-in has agreed to visit Pyeongyang this fall.

President Moon Jae-in and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jeong-un signed and jointly announced the Panmunjeom 'Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula' in the Peace House in Panmunjeom on April 27.

This marked the significant beginning of establishing a permanent peace system, to finally move the peninsula beyond its 70-year tragic history of division and war.

The Panmunjeom Declaration the two leaders announced consists of 3 articles and 13 detailed items, including ▲full-scale, ground-breaking improvement and development of South-North relations, ▲easing of military tensions and practical settlement of war risks, and ▲building of a permanent and firm peace system in the Korean Peninsula.

In keeping with this agreement, all hostile activities including the broadcasting of propaganda using loudspeakers and the dropping of leaflets around the military demarcation line have been suspended as of May 1. General-level military talks are to be held in May as well. Both leaders agreed to the establishment of a North-South joint liaison office in Gaeseong where officials for the North and South reside, and to have inter-Korean Red Cross talks and reunions of separated families and relatives on August 15. There also will be a phased reduction in arms. The leaders agreed to work earnestly on matters of great consequence, and to solidify trust between the two Koreas through regular talks and a hotline.

Meanwhile, President Moon emphasized, "North Korea's proactive nuclear freeze is very significant, and is a valuable first step towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

He also explained, "I would like to express my respect to North Korean leader Kim for his courage and determination to generously agree to the arrangement which led to the situation today. We will discuss peace, prosperity and unification based on firm trust in each other, through regular talks and a hotline."

North Korea's Kim also said, "We will get knee to knee with each other and communicate well to ensure the best results, so that this agreement we signed today does not repeat the disgraceful history of past agreements that never went past the starting phase."

Prior to this, both leaders had a historic meeting at the military demarcation line at 9:30 a.m., and moved to have a 100-minute summit from 10:15 to 11:55 a.m. They engaged in a sincere and honest conversation on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the establishment of permanent peace and the direction for the development of North-South relations.

In the afternoon, the two leaders planted a pine tree that symbolizes their hope for peace and prosperity on the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), a symbol of division, and resumed the summit after walking along a footbridge for a friendly chat. The curtain on this historical North-Republic of Korean summit fell when Kim was seen off following a welcome banquet and performances.

By Joo-Hyeong, Lee < jataka@dema.mil.kr >

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