Taking a step closer to peace, North and South Korea commit to 'era of no war' by signing military agreement

NewsBharati    19-Sep-2018
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Seoul, September 19: With the historic summit between the two Korean countries, the leaders of North and South Korea once again took a step closer to peace by signing a joint military agreement that removes the threat of conflict on the Peninsula in their latest three-day summit.

Addressing the media in the joint news conference alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced, "The era of no war has started.” Pyongyang also agreed to destroy the Yongbyon nuclear site, which is believed to be used for the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, if the United States takes "corresponding measures."

The announcement came as the two leaders met for the third time this year in the North Korean capital, as part of efforts with the US to contain the threat of war after a barrage of North Korean missile tests in 2017.

As part of the accord, North Korea committed to permanently close down the Tongchang-ri engine testing and missile launching site under the attendance of relevant experts, the South Korean President announced. South Korean President Moon expressed hope that talks would resume between North Korea and the US. "They have continuously shown their trust towards one another and I hope there will be another summit between the two countries as soon as possible," Moon said.

US President Donald Trump weighed in on Twitter, calling the developments "very exciting."

After their first summit in late April, South Korean Prez Moon and Kim Jong Un vowed to bring a formal end to the Korean war, a lofty goal that no Korean leaders have achieved since the conflict ended in a stalemate in 1953.

The leaders made other non-military announcements, including plans to submit a joint bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics. They agreed to link railways and roads on the eastern and western side of the Korean Peninsula within this year. And they agreed to "normalize the Kaesong Industrial complex and Kumgang tourism project as soon as the conditions allow."