2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyongyang
- Moon Jae-in - President, Republic of Korea
- Kim Jong-un - Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Date: Sept. 18-20, 2018 (Tues.-Thurs)
- Venue: Pyongyang
Sketch of 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyongyang
Photos : Yonhap News
Timeline of Inter-Korean Relations
2017| July sixth |
President Moon Jae-in was invited to speak at the Körber Foundation(Stiftung) in Berlin, where he announced “Berlin” peace initiatives for the Korean Peninsula. - Returning to the June 15 Joint Declaration and October fourth Summit Declaration - Pursuing denuclearization of North Korea that guarantees the security of the North Korean regime - Establishing a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula - Drawing a new economic map on the Korean Peninsula - Pursuing non-political exchange and cooperation projects |
|---|---|
| September third | North Korea carried out its sixth nuclear test at the Punggyeri nuclear test site, creating a temporary geopolitical crisis on the Korean Peninsula. |
| September 21st | President Moon Jae-in attended the UN General Assembly in New York. In his keynote speech at the event, Moon announced “PyeongChang Peace Initiatives” under which the South planned to draw North Korea’s participation in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics to turn it into an Olympics of Peace and build a momentum for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. |
| November first |
During his address at the National Assembly, President Moon Jae-in unveiled five principles for achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula. - No armed conflicts on the Korean Peninsula - Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula - Taking a primary role in resolving the inter-Korean issue - Peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue - Stern response to any North Korean provocation |
| January first | North Korean leader Kim Jong-un indicated in his New Year’s speech the possibility of sending North Korean delegates and athletes to the Winter Olympics in the South. |
|---|---|
| January ninth |
Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the North Korean Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, sat down with each other for high-level inter-Korean talks at the Peace House of Panmunjeom. - North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics - Easing of military tension between the two Koreas - Reinvigorating inter-Korean exchange and cooperation - Adoption of a joint press statement including the pledge to respect the agreements made during the previous inter-Korean summits |
| February ninth | A North Korean high-level delegation, including North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister and deputy director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, Kim Yo-jong, and the head of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the North, Kim Yong-nam, attended the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. |
| February 10th |
President Moon Jae-in invited the high-ranking North Korean delegation to a luncheon meeting at the presidential office. Kim Yo-jong delivered North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s letter to President Moon. |
| March fifth | A five-member South Korean delegation, including National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong and National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon, visited North Korea and met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. |
| March sixth | The South Korean delegation returned to the South and held a media briefing at the presidential office, where they announced an agreement to hold the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit in late April. |
| March ninth | U.S. President Donald Trump accepted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s proposal they meet with each other. |
| March 15th | The government launched the preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit. |
| March 29th |
Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the North Korean Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, held working-level inter-Korean talks at the Tongilgak building on the northern side of Panmunjeom. They adopted a three-point joint press statement, confirming the plan to hold an inter-Korean summit on April 27th. |
| April 1st-3rd |
A South Korean art troupe put on a performance twice in Pyongyang under the title “Spring Comes.” North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju watched a performance by the South Korean art troupe on April first. |
| April 20th |
During the third Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party presided over by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on April 20th, North Korea declared to end the simultaneous pursuit of nuclear weapons and economic growth and instead pursue economic growth and peace. The North also said it will discontinue nuclear and missile tests and close down its main nuclear testing facility in Punggye-ri in Kilju County in North Hamgyong Province. |
| April 27th | The top leaders of the two Koreas are set to meet one another during the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit at Panmunjeom. |
| May 7-8 |
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes second visit to China Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Dalian, Liaoning Province |
| May 9 | U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes second visit to North Korea, meets Kim Jong-un and discusses denuclearization |
| May 10 |
Secretary Pompeo returns home with 3 Korean Americans who were detained in North Korea U.S. President Donald Trump announces via Twitter that he will hold summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12 |
| May 12 | North Korea's Foreign Ministry announces the North invited journalists from South Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Britain to an event showcasing the dismantlement of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province |
| May 16 |
North Korea informs South Korea it is indefinitely postponing high-level bilateral talks, raising issue with the joint South Korea-U.S. Max Thunder military exercises North Korea' First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan releases a statement "Pyongyang will reconsider the North Korea-U.S. summit if it comes under pressure to unilaterally abandon its nuclear program" |
| May 17 | Chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, Ri Son-gwon, says it will be difficult to continue talks with South Korea unless key issues are resolved |
| May 18 | North Korea refuses to accept a list of South Korean reporters invited to attend the event showcasing the dismantlement of the Punggye-ri test site |
| May 22 |
(May 23, Korean time) South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a summit at the White House |
| May 23 | North Korea allows South Korean journalists to cover the dismantlement of the Punggye-ri test site |
| May 24 |
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui issues a statement over Washington mentioning the possibility of adopting the Libya model when dealing with Pyongyang "North Korea could make the U.S. suffer a terrible tragedy that it has never experienced or imagined before" North Korea dismantles Punggye-ri test site in the presence of foreign journalists President Trump cancels summit with North Korea in a letter to Kim Jong-un |
| May 25 |
North Korea' First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan releases a statement "North Korea is willing to talk with the U.S. to resolve issues any time and in any format" President Trump hints U.S.-North Korea summit could open on June 12 |
| May 26 |
President Moon and Kim Jong-un hold their second summit in Tongilgak on the northern side of Panmunjeom |
| June 1 |
Koreas hold high-level talks at the Peace House on the southern side of Panmunjeom -discuss ways to implement the Panmunjeom Declaration -agree to establish a joint liaison office in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex -finalize dates for working-level talks (follow-up talks on arranging high-level military talks, Red Cross talks, railways, roads and forestry talks, cultural and sports exchanges and a performance by a North Korean art troupe in Seoul) |
| June 8 | South Korean delegation led by Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung visits the Gaeseong Industrial Complex to prepare for the opening of the liaison office |
| June 12 |
Kim Jong-un and President Trump hold summit on Sentosa island in Singapore and sign a four-point agreement under which they: -agree to establish new U.S.-North Korea ties -agree to exert joint efforts toward establishing a peace regime -reaffirm the Panmunjeom Declaration and vowed efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula -commit to work toward recovering the remains of prisoners of war or soldiers declared missing in action during the Korean War |
| June 14 |
Koreas hold high-level military talks in Tongilgak -adopt a joint statement and agree to fully restore military communication lines in the East Sea and Yellow Sea President Moon receives Secretary Pompeo in audience Secretary Pompeo shares results of U.S.-North Korea summit Foreign ministers of South Korea, U.S. and Japan hold talks in Seoul |
| June 18 |
Koreas hold sports cooperation talks at the Peace House -agree to hold basketball match in Pyongyang in July and in Seoul in the fall -agree to make a joint entrance at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and to field joint teams for several events in the Asian Games |
| June 19 | South Korea and the U.S. announce they will suspend the Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise |
| June 19-20 |
South Korean delegation visits the Gaeseong Industrial Complex as part of preparations for the joint liaison office Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold summit in Beijing |
| June 22 |
Koreas hold 12th Red Cross talks at Mount Geumgang -agree to hold family reunions in August -agree to repair the reception house at Mount Geumgang South Korea and the U.S. indefinitely suspend Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises |
| June 25 | Koreas hold working-level talks on reconnecting the East Sea and Yellow Sea district military communication lines |
| June 26 |
Koreas hold talks on railway cooperation at the Peace House -agree to reconnect the western Gyeongui Line and the eastern East Sea Line and to modernize the section linking Mount Geumgang and the Tumen River and the section linking Gaeseong and Sinuiju |
| June 27 | South Korea sends delegation to Mount Geumgang to prepare for family reunions |
| June 28 |
Koreas hold working-level talks on road cooperation at Tongilgak -agree to modernize the road linking Pyongyang and Gaeseong and the road linking Goseong and Wonsan |
| July 1 | Koreas resume ship-to-ship radio communication links for the first time in ten years |
| July 2 |
South Korea begins repair work for the establishment of the joint liaison office (work focused on repairing workers' lodgings and an office that was used by a joint committee of the two Koreas that oversaw the Gaeseong Industrial Complex) |
| July 3-6 |
A 101 member delegation of South Korean athletes and government officials, led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, visits North Korea to participate in inter-Korean basketball matches Pyongyang hosts inter-Korean basketball matches July 4 Teams comprising a mixture of South and North Korean players hold basketball match July 5 Koreas hold another basketball match and hold talks on hosting additional joint sports events July 3 Koreas exchange lists of people wishing to take part in family reunions (250 S. Koreans, 200 N. Koreans) |
| July 4 |
Koreas hold working-level talks on boosting forestry cooperation at the Peace House -agree to modernize tree nurseries and boost pest control cooperation |
| July 5 |
Koreas continue to hold working-level talks in Pyongyang on hosting additional joint sports events South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of North Korea's Workers' Party Kim Yong-chol meet in Pyongyang |
| July 6-7 |
Secretary Pompeo Visits Pyongyang and meets Kim Jong-un -North Korea's Foreign Ministry expresses regret over Washington's attitude with regard to Pompeo's visit |
| July 10 |
South Korea announces it will suspend this year's Ulchi Drill -South Korea decides to conduct Ulchi Taeguk drills from 2019 |
| July 16 |
North Korea and the U.S. hold working-level talks on repatriating the remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War A 5 member group from the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation visits North Korea (July 16-19) The group discuss a proposal for joint efforts on bringing home the remains of Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor from Japan July 17 Koreas fully restore their military communication line in the Yellow Sea district |
| July 24 | Koreas inspect section linking Gaeseong and Sinuiju on the Gyeongui Line; South-North joint railway research team holds first meeting |
| July 27 | North Korea returns 55 sets of remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War Kim Jong-un conveys letter to President Trump |
| July 31 |
Koreas hold general-level talks at the Peace House -discuss disarming the Joint Security Area, jointly excavating the remains of soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone, withdrawing troops from border guard posts on a trial basis and halting hostile activities in the Yellow Sea |
| August 4 | Koreas exchange final lists of family members for inter-Korean reunions (93 S. Koreans, 88 N. Koreans) |
| August 8 | Koreas jointly inspect Mount Geumgang area for insect damage to trees |
| August 9 |
North Korea proposes holding high-level inter-Korean talks South-North joint railway research team holds second meeting |
| August 13 |
Koreas hold high-level talks at Tongilgak -agree to hold inter-Korean summit in September |
| August 20-22, 24-26 | Koreas hold 21st family reunions at Mount Geumgang |
| September 5 |
President Moon's special delegation, led by National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong, visits North Korea and meets Kim Jong-un Agree on date for third inter-Korean summit |
| September 13 | Koreas hold 40th working-level military talks at Panmunjeom |
| September 14 |
Koreas hold high-level working-level talks to prepare for third inter-Korean summit -agree that President Moon will travel to North Korea via a direct flight route between Incheon and Pyongyang -agree to air live major events of the summit, including the moment President Moon and Kim Jong-un meet Koreas open joint liaison office, establishing first 24/7 inter-Korean communication channel |
| September 18-20 |
President Moon and Kim Jong-un hold their third summit in Pyongyang |
Full text of September 19th Pyongyang Declaration
South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held summits in Pyongyang from September 18th to the 20th.
The two leaders assessed that remarkable achievements had been made since the historic Panmunjeom Declaration was signed, including the two Koreas engaging in close government-level dialogue and communication as well as in nongovernmental exchanges and cooperation in various areas, and taking significant steps toward easing military tensions.
The two leaders reaffirmed the principles of self-reliance and self-determination of the Korean people and agreed to consistently and continuously advance inter-Korean ties for reconciliation, cooperation, peace and joint prosperity. They also agreed to exert joint efforts to realize, through policies, the people's aim and hope for improved inter-Korean ties to lead to unification.
The two leaders sincerely and extensively discussed issues on further boosting inter-Korean ties to a higher level through the thorough implementation of the Panmunjeom Declaration. They also shared the view that the Pyongyang summits will become a major turning point in history.
1. The two Koreas agreed to end hostility at fortified regions, including the Demilitarized Zone, and continue such momentum by seeking to remove all real risks of war on the Korean Peninsula and resolve hostile relations.
① The two Koreas agreed to adopt a military accord on implementing the Panmunjeom Declaration as a side agreement of the Pyongyang Declaration, and to thoroughly observe and execute the accord. They also agreed to take substantial steps to make the Korean Peninsula a permanent peace zone.
② The two Koreas agreed to swiftly operate a joint military committee to inspect the status of the implementation of the military accord. They also agreed to engage in close communication and consultation at all times to prevent armed clashes of accidental nature.
2. The two Koreas agreed to further boost exchanges and cooperation based on mutual reciprocity and co-prosperity as well as devise substantial ways to advance national economy in a balanced manner.
① The two Koreas agreed to hold within this year ground-breaking ceremonies for connecting the Gyeongui and Yellow Sea railways and roads.
② The two Koreas agreed to normalize operations of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and tours to Mount Geumgang once necessary conditions are met as well as to discuss the issue of creating a joint special economic zone along the Yellow Sea and a special tourism zone along the East Sea.
③ In a bid to conserve and restore the natural ecosystem, the two Koreas agreed to actively pursue cooperation on environmental issues, starting with producing results in cooperation on forestry currently under way.
④ The two Koreas agreed to boost cooperation in health and medicine, including emergency steps on preventing infectious diseases from entering or spreading on the peninsula.
3. The two Koreas agreed to further strengthen humanitarian cooperation to fundamentally resolve the issue of separated families.
① The two Koreas agreed to open a permanent reception venue for separated families in the Mount Geumgang region at the earliest date possible and to that end, agreed to swiftly repair the reception house at the mountain resort.
② The two Koreas agreed to first work out through Red Cross talks the issue of holding video reunions and of allowing families to exchange video messages.
4. The two Koreas agreed to actively pursue cooperation and exchanges in a wide array of areas to promote the mood of reconciliation and unity as well as to boast the unyielding spirit of the Korean people both inside and outside of their countries.
① The two Koreas agreed to further boost exchanges in culture and arts, starting with a performance in Seoul in October by a Pyongyang art troupe.
② The two Koreas agreed to jointly take part in international competitions, including the 2020 Summer Olympics, and to seek to jointly host the 2032 Summer Olympics.
③ The two Koreas agreed to hold ceremonies to mark the eleventh anniversary of the October 4th joint declaration and to jointly commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1st independence movement. To this end, they agreed to hold working-level consultations.
5. The two Koreas agreed that the Korean Peninsula must become a place of peace that is free of nuclear weapons and nuclear threats and for that aim, the two Koreas shared the view that they must swiftly make necessary headway.
① North Korea agreed to permanently dismantle its missile engine test facility and missile launch tower in Dongchang-ri in the presence of experts from related countries.
② North Korea expressed intent to take further steps, including permanently dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear facility, if the United States takes corresponding steps in line with the spirit of the June 12th joint statement.
③ The two Koreas agreed to engage in close cooperation in the process of pursuing the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
6. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un plans to visit Seoul at an early date at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in.
September 19, 2018
Pyongyang
Moon Jae-in
President
Republic of Korea
Kim Jong-Un
Chairman
State Affairs Commission Democratic People’s Republic of Korea