Beginning Of A New History, The 2018 Inter-Korean Summit

▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean president Moon Jae-in / 출처 : 연합뉴스

 On April 27, 2018, inter-Korean summits for peace started on the Korean Peninsula. The talks are a valuable opportunity created by the effort of President Moon Jae-in, who persuaded North Korea to talk during the severe security crisis on the Korean peninsula, the government's effort, and support from the international community, including the United States and neighboring countries. It is the first time in 11 years that the talks have been held, making this an inspiring moment.

 The 2018 inter-Korean summit will be a "guide" to the denuclearization, peace, and development of the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations. An important and significant goal of the talks is that the leaders of the two Koreas meet to form trust and have a heart-to-heart talk. In particular, the inter-Korean summit is leading to the North American summit. If the North-South Summit and the North American Summit are held successfully, a historical milestone will be created for a peaceful settlement of the North Korea nuclear issue and peace on the Korean Peninsula, which the international community hopes for and supports.

 And on the day of the inter-Korean summit, it did not take long to write history. President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the 'Panmunjom Declaration' at the Panmunjom Peace House. The two leaders made a solemn declaration to the 80 million Korean people and to the world that there will be no more war on the Korean Peninsula and a new era of peace has begun. In addition, through this declaration, the realization of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the end of the war, establishment of an independent inter-Korean joint liaison office, and reunion of separated families were agreed. What is meaningful is that this is the first time that the leaders of the two Koreas jointly announced the contents of a summit agreement and expressed their position.

 In responses of the foreign press, the BBC reported that "A great moment in the history of the Korean Peninsula", and the British daily newspaper The Times analyzed that "The two countries are ready for a great revolution in world history." The New York Times reported that "The inter-Korean summit will be a stage for Kim to test his will for the dismissal of nuclear weapons. Kim's decision to cross the truce line seemed impossible even a few months ago." CNN published a headline on its website titled "There will not be any more war" detailing the summit between the leaders of the two Koreas and the talks. Associated Press said, "The inter-Korean summit is the latest attempt to resolve the world's last Cold War confrontation", "The focus of this summit will be North Korea's nuclear weapons." NHK, a public broadcaster in Japan, turned to a live broadcasting system and called experts on the Korean Peninsula in the studio to introduce the meaning and prospects of the talks. China's CCTV broadcast live footage of the two heads of state shaking hands and taking a commemorative photo, starting with the video footage of President Moon at a meeting place in the morning news. Lastly, Le Monde, a leading figure in France, said, "The resumption of dialogue between President Moon Jae-in and North Korea has eased tensions on the Korean Peninsula and raised the approval rating of President Moon."