2018.04.2919:16:00UTC+00North, South Korea Agree to Ink Landmark Peace Treaty

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have pledged to officially mark the end the 1950s Korean war and push for total denuclearization of the peninsula at the end of the first inter-Korea summit since 2007.

The two leaders signed a joint communique following the landmark summit on Friday that made Kim the first North Korean leader to step into South Korea since end of the Korean war in 1953. The historic peace talks were held in Panmunjom Village, the neutral zone between the two countries.

A rigidly planned out day of discussions and symbolic gestures temporarily allowed some room for spontaneity when Kim requested his South Korean counterpart to reciprocate the gesture by briefly stepping into the North Korean territory.

The signing of the declaration came following two round of talks between the leaders, as well as a ceremonial tree-planting ceremony to signify peace and prosperity on the divided Korean peninsula.

In the official statement, Kim and Moon pledged to ink a peace treaty later this year which will involve the U.S. and China potentially in the process.

The leaders also pledge to pursue the end of nuclear weapons in the region, but the text of the statement did not disclose specific details or a timetable.

As part of the deal, both Koreas promised they would avoid the use of force and strengthen tiers, working towards reunification. A communications post between the two countries will also be established in Kaesong, North Korea, while the loudspeaker broadcasts and distribution of propaganda leaflets will end on May 1. The South Korean leader is also due to visit Pyongyang in the coming months.

Global leaders welcomed the meeting and the joint statement, with U.S. President Donald Trump tweeting his approval.