Kim to smoke peace pipe in South Korea
Pledges to visit Seoul soon, shut missile testing site
North and South Koreas on Wednesday signed a joint military agreement and a joint statement during South Korean President Moon Jaein’s visit to Pyongyang to heighten peace and denuclearisation talks.
President Moon and Kim have also proclaimed the end of the state of war, the South Korean presidential spokesperson confirmed, reported Sputnik. “Leaders of the South and the North have, in fact, announced the end of the war on the Korean Peninsula by their agreements,” the spokesperson said.
The joint military agreement was signed by South Korean Defence Minister, Song Young-moo, and North Korean Defence Minister of People’s Armed Forces, No Kwang Chol in the presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
As part of the agreement, North Korea and South Korea agreed to cease largescale artillery exercises and military flights near the demilitarized zone to prevent incidents.
“Both sides decided to cease military exercises directed against each other near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) from November 1. It was decided to completely stop the artillery drills and field exercises of more than a regiment at a distance of 5 kms from the MDL,” the document says.
The imposition of a no-fly zone for all military aircraft over the buffer zone was also agreed to by the two sides. The buffer zone will be declared within 40 kms from the military demarcation line in its eastern part and within 20 kms in its western part.
In addition, the neighbouring nations decided to withdraw troops from the demilitarised zone (DMZ) and disarm military personnel at the shared border village of Panmunjom, along with the demilitarisation of the joint security area there.
“Both sides have agreed to fully withdraw guard posts of the South and the North at a distance of more than 1 km as experimental measures for the complete withdrawal of guard posts from the demilitarised zone,” a statement read.
Following the summit, President Moon and Kim signed a joint statement. Their meeting took place in the official residence for the honourable guests. As part of the joint statement, North Korea has promised to close its missile test range in Tongchang-ri and completely disassemble nuclear facilities in Yongbyon.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong agreed to make a historic visit to Seoul soon and close a missile testing site in front of international inspectors at a summit with the South’s President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang. His trip to Seoul would be the first by a Northern leader since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.