Presidential Spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom Briefs Media on Dress Rehearsal by Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee

Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps | 2018-04-26 19:15 (KST)

The Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee conducted its final run-through from 2:00 this afternoon at Panmunjeom. The one-hour rehearsal was attended by six of the seven official delegates from the South. Only Gen. Jeong Kyeongdoo, Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, was absent. Filling in for him was Chief of Staff for Policy Jang Hasung. This was the first time that the majority of officials who will actually take part in tomorrow’s Summit were able to practice together.

The session was conducted in the order of events scheduled for tomorrow.

They began by reviewing where and how President Moon Jae-in would greet Chairman Kim Jong Un when he crosses the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) to the South as well as how the two leaders would shake hands and in which direction they would face while being photographed. Other details included where the accompanying officials would stand during the meeting at the MDL and how they would proceed to the next location. Stands-in for the two leaders actually walked the routes they would take to simulate the actual situation as closely as possible.

This was followed by a rehearsal of the welcoming ceremony and a review of the two honor guards, one traditional and the other representing the three branches of the South Korean armed forces. The approximately 300 honor guard members performed their routines just as they will be conducted tomorrow.

Next, the official delegates moved to Peace House to look around the Summit conference room, banquet hall and reception room. Every detail such as lighting and flower arrangements were examined. The conference room and the banquet hall still have the smell of a newly-built house, so special measures have been taken, including turning up the heat, scattering onions and charcoal on the floors, and running many electric fans to remove the odor.

The final touches have yet to be made, but the rooms will be ready for the two leaders to meet without a hitch tomorrow.

Outside the meeting venue, soldiers of the United Nations Command made last minute inspections. They used search dogs to detect dangerous articles as well as mine removal devices to seek out explosives.

The soldiers also took out the oil from the tanks inside Panmunjeom to prevent any untoward contingency

After inspecting the site for the commemorative tree planting, they also had a trial run of the unveiling of the stone plaque. They next made their way over the Footbridge where the two leaders will walk together tomorrow. The Footbridge has been recently repainted sky blue; according to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC), the color is the same as that of the Korean Unification Flag as well as the United Nations Flag. A T-shaped extension of the bridge is attached to the middle section.