The leaders of North and South Korea held talks in the border village of Panmunjom on Friday. The talks began with a historic first step as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the line that has divided the Korean peninsula for over 60 years. At the end of the meeting, the two countries released a joint declaration in support of peace and removal of nuclear weapons from the area. South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced what the sides are calling the Panmunjom Declaration. Moon said, “Today, Chairman Kim Jong Un and I confirmed that the realization of the nuclear-free Korean peninsula through complete denuclearization is our common goal.” Kim also expressed support for the joint declaration and earlier agreements between the two Koreas. He said, “We have decided to open this transitional phase of improvement in relations and development by thoroughly implementing the North-South Declarations and all the agreements that have already been adopted.” He spoke without explaining or providing details of the deal to end his country’s nuclear program. Historic crossing Kim Jong Un is now the first North Korean leader to enter South Korea. He was greeted by Moon, who waited on the South Korean side of the demilitarization line between the two countries. The Korean War armistice was signed 65 years ago in Panmunjom. The armistice ended the fighting, but a peace agreement was never signed. The two leaders smiled as they shook hands along the line dividing North and South Korea. Kim then stepped over a cement marker into the South. Kim said he was “excited to meet at this historic place” and later wondered "why it took so long" to get there. “It really has a strong emotional impact on me,” said Kim about the warm welcome he received from South Koreans. President Moon told Kim he would like to visit North Korea one day. Laughing, the two together momentarily stepped over the border marker into the North’s side of the demilitarized zone. The two leaders agreed to continue efforts to expand contacts. Ties had grown increasingly tense over North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests, especially efforts to develop nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missiles. When fully ready, those weapons would have the ability to hit targets in the United States mainland. “We declared together that there will be no more war on the Korean peninsula, and that a new era of peace has begun,” said Moon. The joint declaration “confirmed the common goal of realizing complete denuclearization, and a nuclear free Korean Peninsula.” It also recognized as “meaningful and crucial” North Korea’s recent offer to suspend nuclear and missile tests, and to close its Punggye-ri nuclear test site. However, some observers have questioned whether these measures are meaningful since they only suspend, not reduce the country’s nuclear activities. Trump-Kim summit The declaration is meant to prepare talks between the North Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two men are expected to meet in May or June. South Korean officials have told the Trump administration that Kim is prepared to promise to completely undo North Korea’s nuclear program. In exchange, he reportedly wants security guarantees from the U.S. government, development aid and an easing of international sanctions against the North. Later Friday, President Trump praised the promises of peace and denuclearization. But he noted on Twitter that "only time will tell" if those goals are reached. While Trump has expressed hope of reaching a nuclear deal with North Korea, he has said he will walk out of the meeting with Kim if there are signs it “is not going to be fruitful.” Brian Padden reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted his report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story transitional – adj. of or involving change phase – n. a step in a process; a short period of time thoroughly – adj. completely; exactly implement – v. to carry out adopt – v. to take up; to officially accept and put into effect impact – n. a major or powerful effect zone – n. area ballistic – adj. relating to or involving the science of moving objects in flight crucial – adj. important sanction - n. a measure designed to punish a country for failure to obey international laws or rules We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
from Voice of America https://ift.tt/2Kg1Ed4
via IFTTT
الاشتراك في:
تعليقات الرسالة (Atom)
المشاركات الشائعة
-
As President of the United States, Donald Trump shakes a lot of hands. But look out. If you shake Trump’s hand, you might get pulled off y...
-
Even in the world of medicine, what is old is new again. Thousands of years ago, Egyptians used it to sterilize drinking water. Ancient Roma...
-
00:00:02 OPRAH WINFREY: "Hattie Mae, this child is gifted," and I heard that enough that I started to believe it. 00:00:08 ...
-
Zimbabwe wants small business to be able to get credit to start or grow a business. If the country’s Parliament approves a bill proposed l...
-
Olayemi Samson is a Nigerian entrepreneur. He is turning plastic waste into useful things like clothing, school bags, car covers and shoes...
-
from Voice of America https://ift.tt/2JX5szY via IFTTT
-
Learn from your hosts, Anne and Jonathan the meaning of momentous. from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2a2yXS4 via IFTTT
-
An unpublished United Nations report says that North Korea sent materials that could be used in chemical weapons to Syria and missile techno...
-
South Korea’s government proposed on Monday to hold military talks with North Korea to reduce tensions between the two countries. The South ...
-
Tensions between North and South Korea have increased sharply since the North’s announcement that it tested a nuclear weapon for the fourt...
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق