Historic Inter-Korean Summit begins in truce village of Panmunjom

The leaders of North and South Korea are holding talks at the Demilitarised Zone that divides their countries in the historic Inter Korean summit in more than a decade. 

The highest-level encounter which is coming after recent whirlwind of nuclear diplomacy is only third of its kind since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. It takes place on the southern side of the truce village of Panmunjom and is intended to pave the way for a much-anticipated encounter between the North's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump. 

Earlier today, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the border into South Korea for the first time, where he was greeted by the South's president, Moon Jae-in. The two leaders smiled and shook hands after which Kim Jong Un gestured to Moon



they cross over to North Korea briefly, which they did for a few steps, then returned to the South, holding hands.

In the most detailed direct reference to the process by the North so far, the official KCNA news agency said, Kim will open-heartedly discuss all the issues arising in improving inter-Korean relations and achieving peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean peninsula. 

The North's nuclear arsenal will be high on the agenda at the talks. Last year Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear blast, by far its most powerful to date, and launched missiles capable of reaching the US mainland. Its actions sent tensions soaring as Kim and Trump traded personal insults and threats of war.