Preparations begin for Peninsula talks

SEOUL: The two Koreas began workinglevel talks yesterday to discuss protocol, security and media coverage for their first summit in a decade due to be held on April 27 on the southern side of the border village of Panmunjeom.

The senior officials are expected to discuss how North Korean leader Kim Jongun will cross the military demarcation line that divides the two Koreas for his meeting, sources claimed.

Mr Kim would be the first North Korean supreme leader to visit the South.

The two Koreas previously held summits in 2000 and 2007, with both held in Pyongyang and involving Kim Jong-il, the current leader’s father.

In 2000, then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung entered Pyongyang by air, while in 2007, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun crossed the demarcation line on foot after disembarking from a car.

In South Korea, all eyes are on whether Kim Jong-un will cross the border on foot or by car.

South Korean media outlets have said they will broadcast the planned summit between Mr Kim and Mr Moon, if the North gives a green light.

The talks were scheduled to be held on Wednesday, but were postponed at North Korea’s request.

The two Koreas have been at war since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with a ceasefire.

Inter-Korean relations have been improving since the North took part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea in February.