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
What China does not want is a collapse of the North which would bring South Korean and US troops right to its border. So Beijing has an interest in keeping the status quo while avoiding the nuclear issue escalating.
China says it's "cheering on" North and South Korea for their summit - while at the same time cautioning it's too early to assume the talks will bring a lasting breakthrough.
Image source, ReutersChina is the only remaining economic ally North Korea has and its take on the talks is crucial. For good reason, Kim Jong-un's first ever journey abroad after taking office was a train trip to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Let's not forget, North Korea is one of the most heavily sanctioned countries on Earth. Here's our Asia business correspondent with more.
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It's starting to look like Mr Moon stepping across the line into North Korea - something we had not expected to see - was impromptu and a Kim initiative. Intriguing tweet here from NPR reporter Elise Hu.
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Here's more from South Korea's Yonhap news agency, external on the brief but seismic cordial chat between the two leaders.
Kim Jong-un: "I will hold good discussions with President Moon with a frank, sincere and honest attitude and make a good outcome."
Moon Jae-in: "The moment Chairman Kim crosses the Military Demarcation Line, Panmunjom became a symbol of peace, not a symbol of division. I wish to again express my respect to Chairman Kim Jong-un's decision that made today's discussions possible."
Image source, ReuterThe 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, with neither side able to claim outright victory. No peace treaty has ever been signed.
The armistice only laid down a suspension of open hostilities and a fixed buffer zone (the Demilitarized Zone) at the border.
There is now hope that this meeting could mark the beginning of peace treaty talks.
Image source, Getty ImagesThat impressive table? It was made specifically for these talks. It's 2.018m in diameter, by the way, marking the year of this historic meeting.
The chairs they're sitting on - made of walnut wood - show a map of the Korean peninsula (including some islands claimed by Japan). The flowers on the table are peonies - a traditional greeting symbol - and daisies which represent peace, reports AFP. There are also some wild flowers picked inside the DMZ.
Image source, EPAHere's what Mr Kim said to Mr Moon in their televised conversation. It is extremely rare for us to see him broadcast live like this.
"We should have a positive meeting and going forward we should be determined. If we can get our heads together then the 11 years lost [since the last talks like this] can be made up. And if we can open our hearts to speak and if we can draw positive results from this meeting that would be good. And instead of going... to the drawing board we should move forward."
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Getty ImagesAs impressive as the handshakes, pomp and circumstances are, the crucial bit will be the actual talks. These are under way now, but most of it will be behind closed doors.
North Korean media has said Kim Jong-un will communicate "openheartedly" and discuss "peace, prosperity and reunification".
Sitting down with Mr Moon, Mr Kim said he wanted to be "serious and honest" in the talks.
But many doubt whether any of these flowery statements can be taken at face value. In order to ease sanctions, Mr Kim needs to convince the international community that he is sincere - regardless of what his real intentions might be.
Food has been central to this meeting. The menu, as it always is at these events, has been carefully choreographed to keep both sides happy and reflect their cultures and tastes. (Although the dessert choice has angered Japan.)
Kim and Moon are going to be eating a flat sea fish, to remind Mr Moon of his hometown port city of Busan, and Swiss rösti, a nod to the school years Mr Kim is said to have spent in Switzerland.
Here's a bit more on what happens when food gets political., external
Image source, EPAMr Moon praised Mr Kim for making a "brave decision" in crossing the border.
South Koreans are enjoying the fact Mr Kim made a joke about the fact he's brought some of North Korea's famous cold noodles over for the summit.
"I hope you will really enjoy the noodles that we brought."
The leaders then asked the media to leave, to give them a more "comfortable" environment.
This is a very friendly exchange from the leaders - both flanked by two of their delegation.
Mr Kim has said he hopes for "frank" talks leading to "a good outcome".
The leaders have emerged from their private chat and are now sitting down for a conversation in front of the cameras. This is being broadcast live.
As the world is watching the historic talks get under way, the White House has released a statement on the summit:
"On the occasion of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in's historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, we wish the Korean people well. We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula.The United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for the planned meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks."
While the action has moved behind the scenes, there's a little time to reflect.
The big concern from many people about talking to Kim has been that it legitimises a brutal regime, external. North Korea has repeatedly been accused of imprisoning and torturing citizens suspected of a hint of disloyalty and of depriving its people of basic freedoms and needs.
Human Rights Watch is among the groups urging South Korea not to overlook this.
“The goal should be to find real, long-term solutions to the security challenges on the peninsula, while taking steps to improve the dire human rights situation," says its Asia director Brad Adams. , external
We now know what Kim Jong-un wrote in the guest book at Peace House just after crossing the border.
"A new history begins now - at the starting point of history and the era of peace."
Image source, ReutersNorth Korea's economy has been feeling the squeeze from international sanctions over the past 12 years. But the squeeze has intensified under President Trump.
North Korean trade with the rest of the world is estimated to have fallen 90%... and a large part of this has to do with China finally implementing the sanctions.
Anwita Basu from the Economist Intelligence Unit told the BBC’s Asia Business Report that they predict North Korea will go into a recession this year.
If you assume that striving for reunification is a given, you might be wrong. While young South Koreans are beginning to have warmer feelings about the North, they're not so sure the two countries can become one again someday.
South Korean youths: 'We're too busy for reunification'
After we served you only screengrabs earlier, here are now some decent shots of how that historic meeting got under way.
Image source, ReutersIt started with that handshake at the border.
Image source, ReutersThen a slow walk side by side.
Image source, ReutersAnd eventually the big red carpet.
Image source, Reuters