hankyoreh

The inter-Korean summit is held at the House of Peace in Panmunjeom on Apr. 27. Clockwise from left are National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon

The leaders of South and North Korea sat down at the table for the first inter-Korean summit in 11 years at 10:16 am on Apr. 27, 2018. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sat across from each other and chatted as they looked upon a painting of Mt. Kumgang hanging opposite the entrance to the second-floor meeting site and prepared for the summit. From the entrance, Moon could be seen sitting on the left and Kim on the right.

A total of six chairs were set up for attendees. Around Moon were Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok and National Intelligence Service director Suh Hoon; around Kim were Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee first vice director Kim Yo-jong and United Front Department director Kim Yong-chol. Both leaders appeared in good spirits throughout their six-minute-long introductory remarks.

Kim was first to deliver his introductory remarks.

“It has taken 11 years to reach this meeting, and as we were walking I found myself wondering why it took so long, why the journey was so difficult,” he said.

“I truly experienced a flood of emotions walking those 200 meters, thinking that we can make sure those lost 11 years do not go to waste if we continue as you said before, meeting periodically to resolve issues and join our minds and wills,” he added.

Kim went on to say he “approached this meeting with the mindset that we are standing at the starting point and firing a signal flare to create the momentum so that a new history can be written in terms of peaceful and prosperous North-South relations.”

He also called for “answering the hopes of the hopeful ones by speaking frankly about our issues and interests to produce a good outcome, making this an occasion for us to adopt a positive mindset, looking to the future and walking hand in hand with purpose rather than returning to the starting point as we have done in the past.” Moon could be seen nodding along to Kim’s remarks.

Kim also made jokes and talked about Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles).

“There’s been a lot of talk about the dinner this evening. Well, I’ve brought some naengmyeon from Pyongyang,” he said, before jokingly adding, “I suppose that’s too far, isn’t it?” His remarks brought laughs from both sides.

Moon went on to begin his introductory remarks while Kim listened, his hands folded on the desk.

“The weather is sunny, as if to celebrate today’s meaning,” he said.

“Spring is in full swing on the Korean Peninsula. The whole world is watching the Korean Peninsula’s spring,” he continued.

“The world’s eyes and ears are on Panmunjeom. The hopes of South and North Korea’s people and Koreans living overseas are very high. And I believe the responsibility on us weighs that much heavier.”

Moon went on to say that the meeting venue at Panmunjeom “became a symbol of peace rather than a symbol of division the moment Chairman Kim crossed over the Military Demarcation Line for the first time in history [by a North Korean leader].”

“With the expectations around the world so high, I would like once again share my respects for Chairman Kim’s resolution in creating this situation,” he said, bringing a large nod from Kim.

“I hope that we can be so generous today in having a dialogue and reach an agreement that will offer a gift to the Korean people and all the people of the world who want peace,” Moon continued.

“Since we have all day to talk today, let us speak fully about all the things we have not been able to for the past 10 years,” he added.

Kim Yo-jong could be seen leaning her head to the right in Moon’s direction to listen, her hands folded on her knees.

The backs of the chairs where the two leaders sat were emblazoned with the image of the Korean Peninsula flag, a symbol of South and North Korea’s “oneness” complete with a depiction of the Dokdo islets. Hanging in the meeting room was a large painting of Mt. Kumgang measuring 681 cm across and 181 cm in height.

The original painting in the room showed Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, but this was replaced for the summit with a work by painter Shin Jang-sik. Repairs and renovation work were carried out inside the meeting site between Apr. 6 and 20. The overall design was made to recall the traditional hanok style of Korean architecture, with traditional windows placed in the walls on both sides.

“It is meant to express the hope that this summit ushers forth a solid relationship of trust between South and North that lasts as long as the traditional windows,” the Blue House explained.

The blue carpeting in the meeting site was said to have been chosen to reflect the natural conditions of the Korean Peninsula’s landscape.

By Seo Young-ji, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]