President Roh Moo-hyun became the first South Korean leader ever to walk across the military demarcation line (MDL) Tuesday morning, as he made his way to Pyongyang for summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

After his motorcade arrived at the demilitarized zone around nine a.m., the president got out of his limousine about 30 meters before the MDL. Speaking briefly before beginning his historic walk, he said that the border separating the two Koreas for half a century had caused the Korean people too much suffering.

He pledged efforts to take down the barrier and ease Korean suffering for a peaceful and prosperous future.

Walking across the MDL at five minutes past nine, he was welcomed by North Korean officials including vice chief of the United Front Department of the North's Workers Party Choe Sung-chol.

The historic walk was broadcast live around the world.

Mr. Roh will take the highway linking Gaesong and Pyongyang, and is scheduled to reach the North Korean capital around noon for an official welcome by the North's parliamentary leader Kim Yong-nam.