North-South Korea Summit 'truly historic', says United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday applauded the "truly historic summit" between the North and South Korean leaders and urged them to "swiftly implement" their commitments.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a historic summit of the two countries in Panmunjom to pursue a permanent peace treaty and denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

The UN chief "applauds today's truly historic summit," according to a UN statement.

Guterres "salutes the courage and leadership that resulted in the important commitments and agreed actions" and counts on the parties to "swiftly implement all agreed actions."
 
"He looks forward to these gains being consolidated and advanced at the summit between the leaders of the United States and the DPRK expected to take place in the near future," it added, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

Korea Summit hailed by US, China

US President Donald Trump also welcomed the "historic meeting". He said "good things" were happening on the peninsula.
         
The Chinese Foreign Ministry praised the leaders for their "courage" and said the summit created an opportunity to "further open a new journey of long-term stability on the peninsula."

The Historic Moment: Kim became the first North Korean leader to cross over to South Korea after partition of the peninsula in 1953

In a historic moment, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday sat foot in South Korea by crossing the military border and met President Moon Jae-In.

Kim became the first North Korean leader to cross over to South Korea after partition of the peninsula in 1953, following the Korean War.

After shaking hands at the border, Kim and Moon held over an hour-long summit in a heavily fortified demilitarised zone.

The historic meeting between the two Korean leaders came just a week after Kim announced suspension of nuclear missile tests.

“I am happy to meet you,” a smiling Moon told Kim as they exchange handshakes and pleasantries.

Kim said that he crossed over to hold a “frank and serious” meeting with an honest mindset.

“I came here determined to send a starting signal at the threshold of a new history,” the North Korean leader said.

During the summit Kim was expected to discuss all the “issues arising in improving inter-Korean relations and achieving peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean peninsula.”

(With inputs from agencies)