pyongyang [Photo Essay] Opening Talks
President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il began their formal talks in Pyongyang Wednesday on the second day of their historic summit.
Although little information has been disclosed about the agenda of the three-day meeting, the two Korean leaders were thought to have discussed ways to reduce military tension on the peninsula and to strengthen economic cooperation.
Roh gave the day a lighthearted start by presenting Kim with a package of gifts including a lacquer-ware folding screen partition, a selection of ceramic teapot sets, plates, and a special DVD set of popular South Korean films and television series to impress the North Korean leader, a world-renown movie buff.
Kim had a surprise of his own, inviting Roh to stay one more day in Pyongyang at the second session of the summit talks at the Baekhwawon State Guest House.
Roh declined the offer and will be returning to Seoul today as scheduled, but not before the two men announce a joint statement about progress made in the three-day meeting.
It seems the historic summit, the second ever by the leaders of both countries since the Korean War, will likely end on a positive note as it started.
