Summary

  • The leaders of North and South Korea have pledged that their countries will never fight another war

  • Kim Jong-un crossed into the South to meet his counterpart Moon Jae-in

  • The pair signed a joint statement agreeing to pursue "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula"

  • The two men walked and talked together after their first formal meeting

  • Many analysts remain sceptical about the North's apparent enthusiasm for engagement

  1. 'Farewell to the nightmare' - Kimpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Some stirring words from the North Korean leader, delivered at the summit banquet earlier:

    "We bade farewell to the frozen relationship between North and South Korea, which was a nightmare, and we announced the beginning of a warm spring to the world."

  2. Way now 'open' for summit with Trumppublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Duyeon Kim, a regional expert from the Korean Peninsula Future Forum in Seoul, told the BBC the summit - and in particular the document signed by the two Korean leaders - clears the way for a meeting between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.

    "The denuclearisation language in the text, the insertion of the word complete denuclearisation, that's actually a win for President Moon, because he can take that to Washington and that helps leave the space, the political space open for President Trump to have a summit with Kim Jong-un," she said.

    But any apparent commitments by the North need to be viewed with caution, she added.

    "The North's track record is poor on this. They've shown time and time again that they don't live up to their promises. They show that they renege on agreements, they show that they pull various tricks and manoeuvres to get out of agreements and continue to develop and advance their nuclear weapons programme. So, if the past is a guide, I'm not optimistic."

    The new US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, met Mr Kim in Pyongyang earlier this month.

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  3. 'Russo-Chinese road map'published at 13:47 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    In its comments on the summit, Russia's foreign ministry said it would continue to work on a "Russo-Chinese road map" for a peaceful settlement.

    "We see it as a significant step by Seoul and Pyongyang towards national reconciliation and the establishment of strong relations, which are inherently valuable," it added.

  4. Kim returns to North Koreapublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 27 April 2018
    Breaking

    Kim Jong-un has now crossed back into North Korean territory, completing his first meeting with a leader of South Korea and the first meeting between leaders of the nations for more than a decade.

  5. Closing montagepublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    An extraordinary scene as Mr Kim and Mr Moon wrap up their historic meeting: the two leaders are holding hands, beaming, as they watch pictures of their first greeting projected on to a wall to a soundtrack of uplifting pop music.

    A still from TV Peru shows the leaders holding hands at the closing ceremonyImage source, TVPeru
    Image caption,

    A still from TV Peru shows the leaders holding hands at the closing ceremony

  6. How 2018 deal compares with 2007published at 13:29 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Friday’s meeting was the third Inter-Korean summit to be held between the leaders of North and South Korea.

    The first, in 2000, did not set any time frames and had very broad commitments. But here are the main differences between the 2007 and 2018 agreements:

    Peace

    2007: Recognised need to end 1953 armistice and “establish a permanent peace regime”

    2018: Declaration to end Korean War. Agreement to “actively pursue” meetings with either the US or the US and China

    Economic Cooperation

    2007: Outlined a number of economic initiatives, including opening freight rail services between Munsan and Bongdong, and finalising related issues such as customs clearance

    2018: Implementing the 2007 projects

    Military

    2007: The two countries “agreed not to antagonize each other, reduce military tension and resolve issues in dispute through dialogue and negotiation”. Planned talks between defence ministers to establish military guarantees for the agreement

    2018: Both countries “agreed to completely cease all hostile acts against each other in every domain, including land, air and sea”. Frequent meetings between military authorities

    Peace zone

    2007: Joint fishing zone

    2018: Converting the demilitarised zone into a peace zone by completely ending propaganda broadcasts at the border. Practical measures to create the maritime peace zone/ joint fishing zone

    Sport

    2007: Joint cheering squad to 2008 Olympics

    2018: Joint participation in international sports events, including 2018 Asian Games

    Family reunification

    2007: Expand reunions of relatives and promote video messages

    2018: Continue with reunions, including planned programme for National Liberation Day in August

  7. No mention of summit in N Korea newspublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    BBC Monitoring
    The world through its media

    North Korea news presenterImage source, North Korea TV

    Television viewers in North Korea are still in the dark over the outcome of Friday's summit.

    While they were made aware that their leader had travelled to Panmunjom for the event through an earlier press review, neither the early evening nor late evening main news mentioned the events on the border.

    In fact, the lead story in the main news was about former leader Kim Il-sung’s birthday being noted in Russian newspapers. The late Mr Kim’s birthday is marked on 15 April as a national holiday in North Korea called the Day of the Sun.

    News does not always live up to its name in North Korea. The media have a long record of not informing the people of important events until at least the day after they have happened, and the prospect of peace in the region is no different, it seems.

  8. Farewell ceremony beginspublished at 13:17 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    The red carpetImage source, Reuters

    Mr Moon and Mr Kim have emerged from the Peace House after dinner, to applause and upbeat music.

    As they took their seats facing the building, the lights dimmed and a light show began on the exterior, accompanied by another musical performance.

  9. Sanitizers and salutespublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Why did Mr Kim travel to South Korea, rather than the other way around?

    What were the security arrangements North Korea made for its leader?

    And did a military salute constitute an awkward moment?

  10. In quotes: Mr Moon and Mr Kim's daypublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    On Pyongyang’s nuclear tests

    During a televised briefing

    Mr Kim: “I heard you [President Moon] had your early morning sleep disturbed many times to attend National Security Council meetings. I will make sure that your morning sleep won’t be disturbed.”

    On North Korea’s traffic problems

    Mr Kim to Mr Moon in a live broadcast

    Mr Kim: “I’m worried that our transport situation is bad so it may discomfort you, it may be embarrassing [for me] if you visit North Korea after living in the South’s environment”.

    On visiting South Korea’s presidential Blue House

    According to a South Korean spokesperson

    Mr Moon: “I can show you scenes far better than this if you come to the Blue House”.

    Mr Kim: “Really? I will go to the Blue House any time you invite me.”

    On visiting North Korea

    According to a South Korean spokesperson

    Mr Moon: “While you come to the South, when can I possibly go over there [to North Korea]?”

    Mr Kim: “Why don’t we just cross over now?”

    (Mr Moon, in an unscripted moment, stepped over the line into North Korean territory)

  11. Donald Trump's thank you to Xipublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

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  12. Hopes and Buddhist prayerspublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Performers prepare backstage to take part in a mass Buddhist prayer ceremony in support of the inter-Korean summit meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in central Seoul on April 27, 2018.Image source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Earlier, performers prepared to take part in a mass Buddhist prayer ceremony in support of the talks

  13. Nato sees 'hard work' aheadpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Jen StoltenbergImage source, Reuters

    Speaking in Brussels, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said there was still much to be done:

    "I welcome that we have seen progress and that we have seen that the two leaders have been able to meet.

    "This is a first step, it's encouraging and then we have to realise that it's still a lot of hard work that lies ahead of us."

  14. Japan looks forward to 'concrete steps'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Shinzo AbeImage source, Getty Images

    Japan, which has been threatened by North Korean missiles, said the summit was a positive step.

    Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed the "serious discussions", calling them "a forward-moving and comprehensive step towards the resolution of the various North Korean problems".

    "We strongly anticipate that North Korea will take concrete steps following this summit and the one with the US later on, and we will be monitoring North Korea's movements hereafter," he said.

  15. Summit statement in fullpublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    A number of websites have transcribed the English version of today's statement, including South Korean news agency Yonhap.

    Check the full text for yourself here, external.

  16. Two very different pathspublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Parade in Pyongyang, October 2015Image source, EPA
    Image caption,

    A military parade in Pyongyang

    As the leaders mix at their banquet, it's worth remembering the huge contrast between the states they lead.

    Decades of rigid state control have led to economic stagnation and a personality cult in the North, which stands accused of systematic human rights abuses. Famines and hardship are covered up by the state media which pump out propaganda about Mr Kim.

    South Korea has developed into one of Asia's most affluent countries, a leading exporter of cars and electronic goods. After early decades marked by authoritarian rule, it is today a fully fledged democracy but one dogged by corruption scandals.

  17. A musical feastpublished at 12:05 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

    Video feeds from the formal banquet show that the assembled dignitaries were treated to some traditional music and the children's songs before dinner.

    Judging by the images, it all went down well with Mr Kim and his wife.

    Kim Jong Un and President Moon clap for a performerImage source, Reuters
    Ms RiImage source, Reuters
  18. Trump sees 'good things' happeningpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 27 April 2018

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