Moon and Kim take a friendly stroll to discuss the future of the Korean Peninsula

Posted on : 2018-04-28 15:44 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
The two leaders held a private 30-minute conversation at the far end of the Panmunjeom pedestrian bridge
President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as the two take a friendly stroll across a pedestrian bridge in Panmunjeom during their summit on Apr. 27.
President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as the two take a friendly stroll across a pedestrian bridge in Panmunjeom during their summit on Apr. 27.

The friendly stroll by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the afternoon of Apr. 27 was a highlight of the 2018 inter-Korean summit. Unaccompanied by any attendants, the two leaders spent 40 minutes walking and talking in an intimate tete-a-tete on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, establishment of peace, and improvement of inter-Korean relations. The rest of the world watched with a heightened sense of expectation as Moon and Kim held their private conversation on a bench at the far end of Panmunjeom’s pedestrian bridge.

At 4:36 pm, the two leaders began walking toward the bridge along a trail traveling to the right from the House of Freedom. They reached the bridge three minutes later. Built in 1953 by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, the bridge was painted sky blue – the color of the Korean Peninsula flag – by the South Korean side in anticipation of the two leaders’ walk.

President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a bench at the far end of a pedestrian bridge in Panmunjeom during their summit on Apr. 27. (Photo Pool)
President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a bench at the far end of a pedestrian bridge in Panmunjeom during their summit on Apr. 27. (Photo Pool)

Stopping at the end of the bridge, the two men looked at the 101st signpost for the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which was stained dark brown with rust. The time was 4:42 pm. Moon suggested to Kim that the two sit down on a reddish-brown wooden bench set up next to the signpost. The two sat knee-to-knee as they basked in the slanted rays of spring sunshine. For the next 30 minutes, the two had a private conversation in the outdoors – seen as unprecedented in world diplomatic history. During this time, the two men were alone, with no associates or members of the press present.

With no audio available, live images showed Moon folding down his fingers one by one as he discussed points, putting his hands together to cup something in them, and occasionally rubbing the sides of his nose, while Kim was seen earnestly explaining things, sitting with folded hands as he listened, periodically fixing his eyeglasses, and stretching his left leg. The two were also shown laughing together. While the Korean Peninsula and rest of the world perked up their ears to listen, the only sounds were the rustling reeds and wind, the birds, and the distant clicking of reporters’ camera shutters.

President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about an old signpost at the far end of a pedestrian bridge in Panmunjeom during their summit on Apr. 27. (Photo Pool)
President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about an old signpost at the far end of a pedestrian bridge in Panmunjeom during their summit on Apr. 27. (Photo Pool)

This ostensibly peaceful scene was in fact a crucial moment, where each leader needed his strength to persuade the other. It was a meeting with the very success of the inter-Korean summit – and the upcoming North Korea-US summit in a month or so – on the line. Each leader approached the other with his own unique strength, capabilities, and charisma. Moon appeared to have worked intently to win Kim’s support for peace on the peninsula and improvements in inter-Korean relations. A definite answer from Kim was essential in particular for the upcoming North Korea-US summit a month ahead to bear fruit with the Korean Peninsula’s complete denuclearization.

Kim, for his part, seems to have sought a definite message and promise from Moon on his own aims of halting hostile actions and ensuring his regime’s security. The atmosphere between the two as they each worked to persuade the other came through clearly through the screen. Indeed, they may have candidly expressed concerns and feelings they are unable to share with even their closest associates.

Thirty minutes later at 5:12 pm, the two got off from the bench. Moon had a faint smile on his face. Kim’s expression also appeared somewhat relaxed as he said something to Moon. Retracing their previous steps, the two leaders returned to the front of the House of Freedom.

Twenty minutes after the end of their stroll, the two leaders announced their historic “Panmunjeom Declaration.”

Ahead of their walk, Moon and Kim planted a memorial pine tree on the Military Demarcation Line where late former Hyundai Group emeritus chairman Chung Ju-yung visited North Korea driving a herd of cattle in June 1998. Moon gave an offering of earth from Mt. Baekdu and water from the Taedong River for the pine, while Kim gave it earth from Mt. Halla and water from the Han River. The tree dates back to 1953, which is the year of the Armistice Agreement.

Afterwards, the two took a commemorative photograph and held a ceremony to unveil an inscribed message reading, “Planting peace and prosperity. April 27, 2018. Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un.”

 

By Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporter

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

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