With long handshakes and a "swirl of emotion," North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for talks in the South. The two discussed denuclearization and peace on the peninsula.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in walk into South Korea (KOCIS)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed his country's militarized border with South Korea on Friday for the first intra-Korea summit in more than 10 years.
Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in concluded the first round of talks and will meet later in the afternoon.
Read more: Korea summit 'is a great opportunity'
Before the meeting began, Moon walked several steps into North Korea before returning to the South, hand-in-hand with Kim. The countries are looking to end their decades-long conflict and ease tensions over the North's nuclear weapons program.
While shaking hands, Moon told Kim, "I am happy to meet you." Kim wrote a message in the commemorative guest book that read: "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history."
Kim and Moon walking hand-in-hand (Reuters/Korea Summit Press)
Kim and Moon walked hand-in-hand from North Korea into the South
During their first round of talks, the two leaders had a "sincere, candid" discussion about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Moon's spokesman Yoon Young-chan told reporters.
The countries are expected to release a statement later on Friday that could address the North's nuclear program and an improvement in relations, South Korean officials said ahead of the meeting.
The meeting with Moon also sets the stage for Kim to meet with US President Donald Trump, in what will be an unprecedented first encounter between sitting leaders of the two countries.
Kim Jong Un's New Year's address 2017
NORTH KOREA: DONALD TRUMP AND KIM JONG-UN'S NUCLEAR SAGA
January 2, 2017: Missile test imminent
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year’s address that his country was in the "final stages" of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). US President-elect Donald Trump, whose inauguration was set for January 20, said on Twitter: "North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the US. It won't happen!"
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Opening statements
As Kim shook hands with Moon for the first time, he said: "I was excited to meet at this historic place and it is really moving that you came all the way to the demarcation line to greet me in person."
"It was your big decision to make it here," Moon replied.
Kim also said he felt a "swirl of emotions" as he entered South Korea and told Moon he wondered "why it took so long" to get to this moment and place.
Moon said he hopes the two can "engage in frank talks and reach a bold agreement so that we may give a big gift to the entire Korean nation and every peace-loving person in the world."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hold talks at an inter-Korea summit (KOCIS)
Kim reportedly promised not to interrupt Moon's sleep anymore with the North's missile tests
Where is the Korean summit taking place?
The summit is being held in the Inter-Korean peace house in the south section of the Joint Security Area (JSA) between North and South Korea. The JSA, also known as the Truce Village of Panmunjom, is where all meetings between North Korea and the United Nations Command or South Korea have taken place since 1953.
Read more: South Korea's border residents pin hopes on upcoming summit
Why is this summit historic?
Kim is the first North Korean leader to enter the southern side of the JSA since fighting in the Korean War stopped ended in 1953. North and South Korean leaders have met just three previous times in the demilitarized zone. The last meeting occurred in 2007 when the late Kim Jong Il, who was North Korea's leader from 1994 until his death in 2011, met with the then South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his sister Kim Yo Jong at the inter-Korean summit (Korea Summit)
Kim Jong Un's younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, took a prominent place at the negotiating table
What will they discuss?
The denuclearization of North Korea will be at the top of the agenda. The North has conducted several weapons tests, including one involving a hydrogen bomb, since Kim assumed power in 2011. The North Korean leader announced last week that the country will suspend nuclear tests and missile tests indefinitely.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss a peace treaty that would formally end the Korean War. Fighting stopped in when the Korean Armistice Agreement was enacted in 1953, but no peace treaty was ever signed.
Read more: South Korean makes 'Pizzas for the People' of North Korea
What happens next?
The Korean summit is a precursor to a meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which could take place in late May or early June. The Trump administration has applied a "maximum pressure" approach to North Korea and is credited with getting Kim to come to the table.
White House said in a statement that it is "hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in walk into South Korea (KOCIS)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed his country's militarized border with South Korea on Friday for the first intra-Korea summit in more than 10 years.
Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in concluded the first round of talks and will meet later in the afternoon.
Read more: Korea summit 'is a great opportunity'
Before the meeting began, Moon walked several steps into North Korea before returning to the South, hand-in-hand with Kim. The countries are looking to end their decades-long conflict and ease tensions over the North's nuclear weapons program.
While shaking hands, Moon told Kim, "I am happy to meet you." Kim wrote a message in the commemorative guest book that read: "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history."
Kim and Moon walking hand-in-hand (Reuters/Korea Summit Press)
Kim and Moon walked hand-in-hand from North Korea into the South
During their first round of talks, the two leaders had a "sincere, candid" discussion about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Moon's spokesman Yoon Young-chan told reporters.
The countries are expected to release a statement later on Friday that could address the North's nuclear program and an improvement in relations, South Korean officials said ahead of the meeting.
The meeting with Moon also sets the stage for Kim to meet with US President Donald Trump, in what will be an unprecedented first encounter between sitting leaders of the two countries.
Kim Jong Un's New Year's address 2017
NORTH KOREA: DONALD TRUMP AND KIM JONG-UN'S NUCLEAR SAGA
January 2, 2017: Missile test imminent
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year’s address that his country was in the "final stages" of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). US President-elect Donald Trump, whose inauguration was set for January 20, said on Twitter: "North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the US. It won't happen!"
123456789101112131415
Opening statements
As Kim shook hands with Moon for the first time, he said: "I was excited to meet at this historic place and it is really moving that you came all the way to the demarcation line to greet me in person."
"It was your big decision to make it here," Moon replied.
Kim also said he felt a "swirl of emotions" as he entered South Korea and told Moon he wondered "why it took so long" to get to this moment and place.
Moon said he hopes the two can "engage in frank talks and reach a bold agreement so that we may give a big gift to the entire Korean nation and every peace-loving person in the world."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hold talks at an inter-Korea summit (KOCIS)
Kim reportedly promised not to interrupt Moon's sleep anymore with the North's missile tests
Where is the Korean summit taking place?
The summit is being held in the Inter-Korean peace house in the south section of the Joint Security Area (JSA) between North and South Korea. The JSA, also known as the Truce Village of Panmunjom, is where all meetings between North Korea and the United Nations Command or South Korea have taken place since 1953.
Read more: South Korea's border residents pin hopes on upcoming summit
Why is this summit historic?
Kim is the first North Korean leader to enter the southern side of the JSA since fighting in the Korean War stopped ended in 1953. North and South Korean leaders have met just three previous times in the demilitarized zone. The last meeting occurred in 2007 when the late Kim Jong Il, who was North Korea's leader from 1994 until his death in 2011, met with the then South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his sister Kim Yo Jong at the inter-Korean summit (Korea Summit)
Kim Jong Un's younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, took a prominent place at the negotiating table
What will they discuss?
The denuclearization of North Korea will be at the top of the agenda. The North has conducted several weapons tests, including one involving a hydrogen bomb, since Kim assumed power in 2011. The North Korean leader announced last week that the country will suspend nuclear tests and missile tests indefinitely.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss a peace treaty that would formally end the Korean War. Fighting stopped in when the Korean Armistice Agreement was enacted in 1953, but no peace treaty was ever signed.
Read more: South Korean makes 'Pizzas for the People' of North Korea
What happens next?
The Korean summit is a precursor to a meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which could take place in late May or early June. The Trump administration has applied a "maximum pressure" approach to North Korea and is credited with getting Kim to come to the table.
White House said in a statement that it is "hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula."
