For the first time in the history of the divided peninsula, a North Korean leader stepped across the inter-Korean border, where he was greeted by a South Korean president. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was greeted by South Korean President Moon Jae-in as he crossed the MDL – the Military Demarcation Line, the actual border – that runs through the center of the truce village of Panmunjom, which itself stands in the center of the 4 kilometer-wide Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox A loud gasp was heard in the huge press center where some 3,000 reporters have gathered to cover the event, the third inter-Korean summit, as Kim appeared amid an entourage of bodyguards and besuited and uniformed officials on the northern side. In his trademark black tunic and glasses, hair slicked back in his idiosyncratic style, Kim strode alone to the MDL – demarcated by a line of concrete in the gravel between the truce … [Read more...] about Kim crosses border, greeted by Moon as inter-Korean summit begins
Cross border summit
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet South’s Moon Jae-in
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By Foster Klug The Associated Press Thu., April 26, 2018 GOYANG - With a single step over a weathered, cracked slab of concrete, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made history Friday by crossing over the world’s most heavily armed border to greet his rival, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, for talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons. Kim then invited Moon to cross briefly north with him before they returned to the southern side. Those small steps must be seen in the context of the last year — when the United States, its ally South Korea and the North seemed at times to be on the verge of nuclear war as the North unleashed a torrent of weapons tests — but also in light of the long, destructive history of the rival Koreas, who fought one of the 20th century’s bloodiest conflicts and even today occupy a divided peninsula that’s still technically in a state of war. It was all smiles Friday as Moon grasped Kim’s hand and led him … [Read more...] about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet South’s Moon Jae-in
Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet his rival
Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet his rival GOYANG, South Korea — With a single step over a weathered, cracked slab of concrete, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made history Friday by crossing over the world's most heavily armed border to greet his rival, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, for talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons. Kim then invited Moon to cross briefly north with him before they returned to the southern side. Those small steps must be seen in the context of the last year — when the United States, its ally South Korea and the North seemed at times to be on the verge of nuclear war as the North unleashed a torrent of weapons tests — but also in light of the long, destructive history of the rival Koreas, who fought one of the 20th century's bloodiest conflicts and even today occupy a divided peninsula that's still technically in a state of war. It was all smiles Friday as Moon grasped Kim's hand and … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet his rival
Korea summit: Kim Jong Un to cross border on foot, inspect honour guard before talks with Moon Jae In
GOYANG - The historic summit between the two Koreas will begin at 9.30 am (local time, 8.30am Singapore time) on Friday (April 27) when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is scheduled to cross the heavily armed border that divides the Korean peninsula. "President Moon Jae In and Chairman Kim Jong Un will begin their historic first meeting at the military demarcation line in Panmunjom at around 9.30am tomorrow morning," Moon's chief of staff Im Jong Seok told a press briefing, referring to the North Korean leader by his official title as head of the state affairs commission. Kim will cross the inter-Korean border on foot, becoming the first North Korean leader to set foot on South Korean soil since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Both leaders will hold a tree-planting ceremony, according to a detailed schedule of the meeting released on Thursday. They selected a 1953-born pine tree to symbolise the year that the armistice was signed to end the three-year conflict. The site for the tree … [Read more...] about Korea summit: Kim Jong Un to cross border on foot, inspect honour guard before talks with Moon Jae In
Asean, Australia to make it easier for cross-border digital trade
Speaking at an Asean-Australia business summit, Turnbull said Australia will continue to work with its closest neighbours in the region on trade liberalisation. “You dont grow stronger by closing the door to other markets. Protectionism is a dead end. It is not a ladder to get you out of the low-growth trap. It's a shovel to dig it much deeper,” he said. “We must face the world, not turn from it. Embrace free trade, not retreat from it, and do so on the basis of strong and transparent rules, fair and open competition and non-discriminatory legislation.” Turnbull's remarks echoed those made by Lee on Thursday in an interview with Australian media, in which he said that recent moves by the United States to protect its domestic industries have raised the spectre of tit-for-tat trade wars. He warned that steps taken by US President Donald Trump, such as imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, set a precedent and countries were now “under pressure … [Read more...] about Asean, Australia to make it easier for cross-border digital trade