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North and South Korea agree to get rid of nuclear weapons in historic talks

North and South Korea have agreed to get rid of their nuclear weapons in historic talks between Kim Jong-un and South Korean president Moon Jae-in.

Kim Jong-un made history by crossing the border into South Korea for talks on nuclear weapons, becoming the first North Korean leader to set foot in the south since the Korean War ended in 1953.

A joint statement issued by Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in after the summit said the two had confirmed their goal of achieving “a nuclear-free Korean peninsula through complete denuclearisation”.

<em>North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes history by crossing the border to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in (Picture: AP)</em>
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes history by crossing the border to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in (Picture: AP)
<em>Historic – Kim Jong-un reportedly joked that he would stop disturbing the South Korean President’s sleep with missile tests (Picture: AP)</em>
Historic – Kim Jong-un reportedly joked that he would stop disturbing the South Korean President’s sleep with missile tests (Picture: AP)

The statement did not provide any new specific measures how to achieve the objective.

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Kim Jong-un had reportedly joked to the South Korean President that he wouldn’t “interrupt your early morning sleep anymore” with missile tests.

He said: “I feel like I’m firing a flare at the starting line in the moment of (the two Koreas) writing a new history in North-South relations, peace and prosperity.”

<em>Era of peace – Kim Jong-un’s guest book message referred to a “the starting point of history and the era of peace” (Picture: AP) </em>
Era of peace – Kim Jong-un’s guest book message referred to a “the starting point of history and the era of peace” (Picture: AP)

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson welcomed the announcement that the two Koreas would work towards the “complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea” as well as improving bilateral ties and reduce border tensions.

He said: “This historic summit is not the end in itself. There are still many questions to be answered.

“Kim Jong Un’s commitment to halt all nuclear and intercontinental and intermediate range ballistic missiles tests is a positive step.

“We hope this indicates an intention to negotiate in good faith and that Kim has heeded the clear message to North Korea that only a change of course can bring the security and prosperity it claims to seek.

“The UK will continue to work with our international partners to strictly enforce existing sanctions until such time that North Korea turns its commitments into concrete steps towards denuclearisation.”

<em>Summit – Boris Johnson welcomed the news but said there were more questions to be answered (Picture: PA)</em>
Summit – Boris Johnson welcomed the news but said there were more questions to be answered (Picture: PA)

Ahead of the historic summit, after stepping across the border Kim Jong-un invited his rival to cross the heavily-armed border with him before they returned to the southern side for talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

The visit saw both leaders inspect an honour guard before posing for a photo inside the Peace House, where the summit was to take place, in front of a painting of South Korea’s Bukhan Mountain.

Kim Jong Un signed the Peace House guestbook with a message that read: “A new history begins now – at the starting point of history and the era of peace.”

The North Korean leader had previously said he would be willing to give up nuclear weapons if his government’s security could be guaranteed and external threats were removed.

<em>Talks – discussions are thought to have focused on whether the North can be persuaded to give up its nuclear missiles (Picture: AP)</em>
Talks – discussions are thought to have focused on whether the North can be persuaded to give up its nuclear missiles (Picture: AP)

The historic visit, which comes ahead of a planned summit between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump – is the latest move in a gradual thawing of relations between North and South Korea

Last month, Kim Jong-un hosted a delegation from South Korea in what was thought to be the first time he had spoken face-to-face with officials from the south since he came to power in 2011.

North and South Korea formed a combined women’s ice hockey team for the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and the North also sent a delegation to the opening ceremony.