By 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps

A joint statement that could completely change the future of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia was signed on April 27 at the conclusion of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit.

President Moon Jae-in and North Korea's Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un signed the joint agreement, titled the “Panmunjeom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula,” after holding the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit at the Peace House and Panmunjeom. The joint statement contains measures for the establishment of peace and measures to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

After signing the joint declaration, President Moon said, “We have confirmed that realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through complete denuclearization is our common goal. I clearly affirm today that the South and North will closely cooperate on complete denuclearization in the future.”

North Korean leader Kim said, “I came to Panmunjeom to open a new path to a future where all Koreans can live at peace.”

“We are firmly determined to open a new era in a peaceful land and discuss detailed measures for action,” he added.



The declaration said that, “These two leaders declare there will be no more war on the Korean Peninsula, and South and North Korea will actively cooperate to establish a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. The matter must not be delayed any further.”

The two leaders agreed to activate bilateral exchanges and to solve humanitarian issues as a long-term measure to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In particular, both sides declared an end to war this year, the year that marks the 65th year of the signing of the armistice treaty and to turn the treaty into a peace treaty.

They also vowed to actively pursue a trilateral meeting among South and North Korea and the U.S. or a four-side meeting among South, North Korea, the U.S. and China, in an effort to establish pace on the peninsula. 
The two Koreas also agreed to hold frequent meetings between military authorities, including the military talks at the rank of general in May, in order to immediately discuss and solve military issues that arise between them. The two sides also agreed to turn the areas around the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea into a maritime peace zone.

South and North Korea agreed to endeavor to swiftly resolve humanitarian issues by resuming the reunion program for separated families and collectively participate in international sports events such as the 2018 Asian Games.

The declaration also says that South and North Korea will “establish a joint liaison office with resident representatives of both sides in the Gaeseong region to facilitate smooth exchanges and cooperation between the people.”

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http://www.korea.net/Government/Briefing-Room/Press-Releases/view?articleId=3412