In a historic move, North Korean leader Kim Jon Un stepped across the border into South Korea for the very first time on Friday for a face-to-face meeting with President Moon Jae-in. The two men sent waves across the global political landscape when they declared mutual intent to finally put an end to the Korean War a conflict which began 68 years ago.
After years of heightened tensions between the neighboring countries, a lasting peace between the North and South finally to be a possibility. While no formal treaty has yet been signed, this remarkable first step is cause for much optimism.
President Trump reacted to the news on Twitter, confident that pressure from the U.S. played a significant role in the breakthrough:
Giving Peace a Chance
Leaders of North and South Korea hadn't met in over a decade, and many experts were worried the conflict would get a lot worse before it ever got better. The highly-anticipated peace summit was an especially surprising turn of events given that just months ago the North was threatening nuclear strikes.
Speaking at a banquet after the summit, Kim Jong Un said "we need to maintain peace" and vowed to "open a new era of co-prosperity," which he thinks will be necessary for both countries to realize their full potential.
Even more monumental, perhaps, was an agreement by both countries to get rid of nuclear weapons and work toward a "nuclear-free Korean peninsula."
"There Was Never A Good War, Or A Bad Peace"
Despite positive reactions from world leaders, some people remain skeptical. There are those who doubt North Korea will follow through on these lofty promises due to its history of nefarious activity. Others insist forming a peace accord would have the side effect of letting North Korea's laundry list of human rights abuses go unpunished.
But for a world dealing with all too much violence, war, and suffering, peace any peace will be heralded as a step in the right direction.
Your reaction?
[Update 4/30] South Korean President Moon Jae-in thinks Trump should get a Nobel Prize for assisting in the peace talks:
39 comments
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roger svensson
My prayer is for a peaceful peace not one that is forced by violence which only brings about more violence
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Roger Svensson
I lived in Korea for two years during the early 1970s working as a engineer contractor for the United States Air Force. I have watched for many years how Korea has prospered in the south and how the north has become more and more isolated. I now have great hope that the two will reunite and prosper together. The North has a lot of catch-up to do but has resources to offer and a determined people as the South has demonstrated by their progress. My gut feeling about it is both the North and the South governments realized Trump is unpredictable and borders on insanity, could possibly carry out his threat of a pre-emptive nuclear strike which would have been devastating for both the North and the South since Trump has little regard to the collateral damage that would have been brought on to the innocent North Korean civilian people and our friends in the south. So the right thing to do was get together. They are wise to make peace without Trump because the peninsula will stay safe now from that possibility. Remember it was Gen. MacArthur during the Korean War who got fired by Truman for saying let's Nukem internationally with his statements and every since North Korea has never trusted us and has pursued the Ultimate Weapon to deter us from such an attack. Thank you God for these Korean leaders to come to their wits and be able to overcome such a powerful nation running amuck with its ego in trying to play god to so many nations. We have a long ways to go in cleaning up our own act before we run around the world trying to act like we're the great example..... get real!
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Jim
I to was in South Korea in the 70's. Your comment about the sanity of the president was ignorant on your part. Could it be that he is using a page from Ronald Reagans playbook. I was also sent to S Korea when the north shot down one of our helicopters. Reagan responded with one threat shot at us again and we will take you out. Funny we had no more trouble out of N korea for until Clinton got into office. Wonder why? I assume that along with an engineering background you are certified in fields like psychiatry to make such a profound statement. You say he has little regard for collateral damage, how do you come about that conclusion. Have you ever met Trump, spoke with him on matters of war. A powerful nation running amuck. Funny if we don't do something when other countries do bad things then we are criticized and when we try and do something we are criticized. We are in a no win situation. How soon we forget how in our history other countries have come to us for help when cruel rulers were killing their own people and invading other countries. "Thank You God" for making us the strongest nation in the world (for now) and may we yield that power with a just and even hand to all.
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Bill Fox
I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. Pray the nukes are removed from Korea.
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Jim
Amen George
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George A Gusick Sr
I just pray for the governments if both South Korea and North Korea and that those people get to experience real leace in their lifetime.
i totally support our President and what he is doing for, not only Our Country but the World.
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Jim
Kim has to save face to some extent to his people. Asking for a promise not to invade is fair and practical from their standpoint. The only reason we would have invaded N korea would have been because of the nukes so take that out of the picture there would be no reason for us to attack Kim.
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Tom
Already the backtracking has begun. Kim has announced that he will denuke only if the US signs an agreement never to invade North Korea. I suspected it was too good to be true.
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John Owens
I have an idea! We can sign that agreement. We can always break it. Kim Jong Un has no intention of dealing honorably, anyway.
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Jim
It has been to long in the making. While it is only natural to be skeptical of Kim, I think that Trump pushed China the right way to get them to go more of a hard line on N Korea. China was the bigger issue I think as they were the primary backers of the North. I think they (China) have come to the conclusion that backing them after getting a nuke would cause some major problems for the region.
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drrgrivera
A DEDICATION AND A WARNING TO ALL WHO DO NOT CHOOSE PEACE...WE, THE USA, WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY ANDTHE TOOLS TO MAKE PEACE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mGkJqbNqA4
BELIEVE EVERY FOREIGN NATION FRIEND OR FOE SEE THIS.
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drrgrivera
THEY BETTER CHOOSE PEACE OR TASTE THESE BAD BOYS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMqb7G36_nY
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drrgrivera
and these bad toys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YuM2PGx51U
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Lea Weisenbach
I feel there is hope in the air thanks to Trump. But maybe Kim has realized you won't have a Kingdom if your country has starved to death.
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Barry
Glad this hermit kingdom leader has finally realized that was the wrong Route to follow.Now the prospects are Endless.
Both Korea's working together and a finalized peace treaty would be great.
Must remain a bit of sceptical of someone who threatened the U.S. with Nuclear war 4 months ago.
Most of all, remember the man who made all this possible.
Trump !
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Tom
Or was it China? Do not underestimate their very powerful role in the region. Also, Trump has been noticeably modest in this. His style is to take credit and he has not done so. This makes me think that the recent visit to Chi a. Y Kim played a significant role in his "change of heart". If it was Trump, hooray for him! But his la k of bragidocio is most telling.
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John Owens
NPR reported that President Moon Jae-In of South Korea says Trump SHOULD get a Nobel Prize for this. That's on npr.org.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Peace Prize? What a joke. Let's see when did he order the bombiing of Syria...yep, real peace making.
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Milton
Yep, the Nobel peace prize is a joke. Obama got it even though he authorized more drone strikes than any other president.
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John Owens
Yes, Gilbert, the Nobel is a joke. I just think it's hilarious that the Trump-haters have to worry that Trump may get one, thereby cheapening Obama's.
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John Owens
Is it my imagination, or has Kim lost weight?
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Carl Elfstrom
Worry can cause decreased appetite, John.
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John Owens
He might be hoping to appeal to some of those buff south Korean soldiers.
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Tom B
A dialogue is a first step, and should be accepted a such...we will see about progress...speculation is unnecessary...Tom
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Carl Elfstrom
Kim could be bi-polar, and suddenly came out of a depression. Or maybe he wants to plant his people in the south in preparation for battle. That seems likely the case to me. Then again, it could be remotely possible that realizing he was significantly outnumbered he decided to throw in the towel. I doubt that he' s intelligent enough for that though. Too many fat globules on the brain.
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Carl Elfstrom
I agree with Tom.
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Carl Elfstrom
What a difference a day makes, just 24 little hours ( to quote Patsy Kline ). I hope y'all didn't think I only listened to rock and roll. Music therapy is good for the soul. Meditation also helps.
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Tom B
Carl...i agree...and thank you...Peace...Tom
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John Owens
North Korea has factories, but only the higher-ups prosper. If they discover incentive-based production (capitalism), together the two Koreas can become a real dynamo. I am wondering what China thinks of all this. Surely they are uncertain of it.
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Tom
Something does not seem right here. Just a matter of weeks before, North Korea was hell bent on building a nuclear arsenal. Now, North Korea is the great peacemaker and wants denuclearization. Why the sudden about face? I am thrilled if it is genuine and comes to pass, but surely this does not pass the smell test. Might it have anything to do with the North Korean nuclear test site and mountain that recently blew up? Just wondering.
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Joe
Being reminded that the cost of using your nukes is to be vaporize no doubt helped. Remember who reminded him.
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Carl Elfstrom
I knew Trump had to be good for something.
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Deb
Blessed be the peacemakers over Kims picture and also trump's. the next day Kim announced he would meet with S Korea, and shortly after that Trump announced a planned meeting. Prayer works. I spoke peace onto them.
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John Owens
Good point, Joe. Little bullies don't understand pacifist dialogue.
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Marko
I wonder what you have to say now that the Korean leaders have said Trump's bullying if hindering the peace talks. Seems like you were so eager to score a point you counted your chickens before they hatched
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John Owens
I wonder where you get your propaganda, Marko. Can you cite where they said that? If not, how about not gabbing?
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John Owens
I still wonder, Marko. CNN? NBC? The VIEW? LOL!!!
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John Owens
(Cicadas buzzing)
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That is until the North over runs the South.