High-level inter-Korean talks to resume June 1

By Lee Min-hyung

The two Koreas agreed Sunday to resume peace talks by holding high-level talks on June 1 and rearranging schedules to realize the inter-Korean Panmunjeom Declaration.

The agreement came a day after South Korean President Moon Jae-in held his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The leaders agreed to resume recently suspended inter-Korean talks, and to continue the momentum for peace on the Korean Peninsula with ongoing talks. These include military talks aimed at easing armed conflicts at some disputed border areas, and Red Cross talks to resume reunions of separated families.

“Both sides agreed to hold the military and Red Cross talks soon after the high-level dialogue on June 1,” Moon said in a media briefing on Sunday.

On June 1, ranking officials from the two Koreas are expected to arrange specific schedules for other talks and to draw detailed roadmaps to realize the inter-Korean peace agreements.

The expected talks include resumption of the suspended inter-Korean military talks and talks about establishing an inter-Korean liaison office in Gaeseong, North Korea, and reconnecting an inter-Korean railroad on the East Coast.

Moon said the aim was to quickly fulfill the Panmunjeom Declaration signed on April 27. The second summit between Moon and Kim was held secretly on Saturday at Tongilgak, on the northern side of the Panmunjeom truce village.

“We also agreed to communicate candidly with each other when necessary,” Moon said.

Moon and Kim met for the first time on April 27 when they signed a string of peace agreements aimed at building permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

To fulfill the agreements, Seoul and Pyongyang were scheduled to hold high-level talks on May 16, but the North canceled the meeting, citing Max Thunder air exercises Involving South Korea and the U.S.

The inter-Korean peace momentum has been stagnating. The North also vented its anger against the U.S., threatening to cancel a scheduled Washington-Pyongyang summit.