Staff Writers
April 27 marked a turning point in history: the long awaited meeting between polar opposites: North and South Korea.
This meeting marked a historical transformation for the Korean peninsula. President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea and chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea held the Inter-Korean Summit Meeting at the 'Peace House' in Panmunjom.
The two leaders came to a joint- conclusion that they needed to bring their division and confrontation to an end for the well being of both countries and their citizens. Both seek peaceful communications with each other, the citizens of either country weren’t aware of the extent of this meeting. Most of the conversation was kept classified; however, there were some public changes in which both leaders wanted to be in the forefront.
Furthermore, the public changes that the two leaders made included signing an historic agreement: the Panmunjom Declaration, which is a formal end to the Korean War. In addition, it also included the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which leads both countries to the start of a new era in terms of peace. South and North Korea have also agreed to encourage more active cooperation, exchanges, visits and contacts at all levels in order to rejuvenate the sense of unity to portray their progress domestically, and globally.
Between North and South, the two sides will encourage cooperation by actively having various events between the countries on the dates that hold special meaning for both of them, an example of that would be on June 15, in which people from all levels, such as central and local governments, parliaments, political parties, and civil organizations, will be involved. On the international front, the two sides agreed to demonstrate their collective wisdom and talents by participating together in international sports events such as the 2018 Asian Games. After having made this promised meeting between North and South Korea it is amazing to see how much they’ve gotten done from just one meeting compared to many years of nothing being done.
Although the North and South have seemingly found their peace, the same cannot be said for the North’s relationship with the United States. The White House has just recently sent a letter canceling a summit meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un. However, the North continued to develop its relationship with the South, pursue a summit with the US.
North Korea dispatched its top diplomat to New York for talks about the summit. He also delivered a letter to President Trump who said talks were back on after a two-hour meeting in the Oval Office.
