Backgrounder: Inter-Korean
Summit
Chronology of major events on
DPRK-S Korea relations since end of World War II
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Kim Jong Il (R, Centre), top leader of
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Nam (L,
Centre), president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly,
hold a welcoming ceremony for Roh Moo-hyun (Centre), president of the
Republic of Korea (ROK), on the Square of April 25 Cultural Hall in
Pyongyang, capital of DPRK, Oct. 2, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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PYONGYANG, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun met the top legislator of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Nam, on Tuesday shortly after he arrived here on a three-day visit for the second inter-Korean summit.
Roh will also hold talks with the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il.
Roh and Kim Yong Nam met in the Mansudae Hall on Tuesday afternoon to discuss establishing a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula and economic cooperation between the two sides, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. No details of the meeting had been released by DPRK media as of Tuesday night.
At a welcome dinner Kim Yong Nam later hosted for Roh, the DPRK's top legislator said the North and South are faced with the task of promoting bilateral ties and ushering in a new era in the cause of reunification, Yonhap reported.
Roh said in a speech at the dinner that only once mutual trust is built can peace on the peninsula last and co-prosperity be achieved, according to Yonhap.
The meeting followed a grand welcoming ceremony at which Kim Jong Il personally greeted Roh upon his arrival in Pyongyang.
Wearing his trademark army two-piece suit, Kim Jong Il shook hands with Roh, in a dark suit with a blue tie, and First Lady Kwon Yang-suk at the ceremony held on the Square of April 25 Cultural Hall. The South Korean leader, accompanied by Kim, inspected a guard of honor of the DPRK army.
Thousands of people gathered at the square to welcome Roh and his 300-member delegation. They waved pink and red flowers and cheered passionately when Roh arrived and stepped out of an open car.
Roh arrived in Pyongyang at 11:37 a.m. (0237 GMT) and passed hundreds of thousands of local residents, many in traditional costume, who lined the streets to welcome the South Korean delegation as Roh's motorcade passed through.
After the welcoming ceremony, Roh headed for the Paekhwawon State Guest House, where he will be staying during the visit.
Roh is expected to hold two rounds of talks with Kim Jong Il on Wednesday on inter-Korean co-prosperity, peace, reconciliation and reunification.
He is also scheduled to watch a mass dance and musical spectacle, the Arirang, Wednesday and visit several industrial sites in the DPRK.
Roh traveled some 200 km overland to Pyongyang and walked across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which separates the South and North, to dramatize his efforts towards reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
Roh became the first-ever leader from the South to walk on foot across the border, which was established as the ceasefire line at the end of the Korean War and symbolizes more than half a century of estrangement since the war. His predecessor, Kim Dae-jung, traveled to the DPRK by air for the first inter-Korean summit in June 2000.
After the crossing, Roh and his wife were presented with flowers from local girls in traditional costume and posed for photos with them before continuing his trip to Pyongyang.
Prior to the historic step shortly after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT), Roh said in an emotional speech that he will work hard to bring about peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
Roh's entourage includes 18 business leaders, 21 social and cultural dignitaries and 50 journalists from South Korean media.
Roh walks across borderline for
inter-Korean summit
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South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (1st
L) and his wife Kwon Yang-sook cross the border line in Paju, north of
Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Oct. 2, 2007. South Korean
President Roh Moo-hyun crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on foot
Tuesday, taking a landmark step into the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK). (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
DEMILITARIZED ZONE, South Korea, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- South
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on
foot Tuesday, taking a landmark step into the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK). Full story
S Korean president leaves for
inter-Korean summit
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South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun (3rd
R) and his wife Kwon Yang-Suk (4th L) pose with children as South Korean
residents greet them before their departure at a military check point in
Paju, north of Seoul, Oct.2, 2007. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun
left Seoul early Tuesday for a three-day visit to Pyongyang. (Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
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SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Roh
Moo-hyun left here early Tuesday for a three-day visit to Pyongyang, where he
will meet with leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim
Jong Il. Full Story
S Korean, DPRK leaders to seek
progress in peace, economic co-op
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The top leaders of the
south and north of the Korean Peninsula will seek substantial progress in peace
and bilateral economic cooperation at an upcoming summit slated for Oct. 2-4 in
Pyongyang, analysts here said. Full story
Newspapers: Roh's overland trip to
boost peace process on Korean Peninsula
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming inter-Korean
summit will facilitate the peace process on the Korean Peninsula and help South
Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) realize common
prosperity, South Korea's major newspapers said Monday. Full story
Inter-Korea summit to focus on peace,
economic ties, reunification
PYONGYANG, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The top leaders from
the north and south of the Korean Peninsula, who gather here on Tuesday for an
inter-Korea summit, are expected to discuss the establishment of a peace
mechanism,
