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Korean leaders begin summit talks Korea leaders open historic talks
(about 1 hour later)
The leaders of the two Koreas have begun formal talks in Pyongyang on the second day of a historic summit. The leaders of the two Koreas have begun formal talks in Pyongyang on the second day of an historic summit.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is expected to announce considerable financial support to the North, in both aid and direct investment. Little information has been released about what South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and the reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will discuss.
Nevertheless, Kim Jong-il has proposed that the three-day summit be extended an extra day until Friday.
However, correspondents say expectations for any lasting progress between the two countries are modest.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is expected to announce considerable financial support to the North.
It is thought they will also touch on some contentious military issues, including the location of the sea boundary between their two countries.
One item that is not expected to be discussed is North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, which is being left for the ongoing multi-party talks.
Official welcome
On Monday, Mr Roh and his wife swept up to Pyongyang in a motorcade, to be greeted by Kim Jong-il, North Korea's reclusive leader, and cheering crowds.On Monday, Mr Roh and his wife swept up to Pyongyang in a motorcade, to be greeted by Kim Jong-il, North Korea's reclusive leader, and cheering crowds.
But correspondents say expectations for any lasting progress are modest.
The two leaders began their meeting at 0930 (0030 GMT) at the Paekhwawon Guest House where Mr Roh is staying, South Korean media pool reports said.The two leaders began their meeting at 0930 (0030 GMT) at the Paekhwawon Guest House where Mr Roh is staying, South Korean media pool reports said.
THE TWO KOREAS 1910: Korean Peninsula colonised by Japan1945: Divided into US-backed South and Soviet-backed North1950-1953: Korean War, no peace deal signed1987: North Korea bombs a South airliner, killing 1151990s: South Korea introduces conciliatory Sunshine Policy2000: Kim Jong-il and Kim Dae-jung hold first leaders' summit2007: Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun hold second leaders' summit
Kim Jong-il was more animated than he appeared at Tuesday's welcoming ceremony, smiling repeatedly as he met the South Korean leader.Kim Jong-il was more animated than he appeared at Tuesday's welcoming ceremony, smiling repeatedly as he met the South Korean leader.
Mr Roh presented gifts, including a series of South Korean DVDs. Kim Jong-il is a keen cinema fan.Mr Roh presented gifts, including a series of South Korean DVDs. Kim Jong-il is a keen cinema fan.
As Wednesday's talks got under way, Mr Roh reportedly expressed concerns about flooding which left several hundred dead in the North this summer.As Wednesday's talks got under way, Mr Roh reportedly expressed concerns about flooding which left several hundred dead in the North this summer.
After two hours, the leaders stopped for lunch and Mr Roh told reporters he and Mr Kim had engaged in "candid and frank" discussions.After two hours, the leaders stopped for lunch and Mr Roh told reporters he and Mr Kim had engaged in "candid and frank" discussions.
Talks were due to resume on Wednesday afternoon.Talks were due to resume on Wednesday afternoon.
Military tensions Political tensions
Despite the billions of dollars spent since the last North-South summit seven years ago, the North remains impoverished and isolated.Despite the billions of dollars spent since the last North-South summit seven years ago, the North remains impoverished and isolated.
Mixed feelings over summit In pictures: Historic crossingMixed feelings over summit In pictures: Historic crossing
Some observers believe that, amid military tensions, Kim Jong-il is using the talks to coax further economic aid and other concessions from the nervous South, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.Some observers believe that, amid military tensions, Kim Jong-il is using the talks to coax further economic aid and other concessions from the nervous South, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.
Mr Roh is in the final months of his term in office, and his critics accuse him of using the summit to cement his image as a peacemaker.Mr Roh is in the final months of his term in office, and his critics accuse him of using the summit to cement his image as a peacemaker.
In two related developments:In two related developments:
  • A senior North Korean official Choe Su-hon, told the UN General Assembly he had good hopes for the summit, but said no progress could be made if the US continued its "hostile policy" of "threats of pre-emptive nuclear strikes and harsh economic sanctions", reported the news agency AFP
  • A senior North Korean official Choe Su-hon, told the UN General Assembly he had good hopes for the summit, but said no progress could be made if the US continued its "hostile policy" of "threats of pre-emptive nuclear strikes and harsh economic sanctions", reported the news agency AFP
  • US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington had endorsed a plan to disable North Korea's main nuclear facilities by the end of the year, drafted in six-nation talks on Sunday.
  • US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington had endorsed a plan to disable North Korea's main nuclear facilities by the end of the year, drafted in six-nation talks on Sunday.
    Foot crossing Millions of people died in the 1950-53 Korean war, a civil conflict which drew in several bigger powers, and it has never been formally ended.
    On Tuesday, Mr Roh became the first South Korean leader to cross into the North on foot, but he said he hoped others would follow, and "this line will gradually be erased and the wall will fall". Seoul has promoted hopes for a permanent truce while North Korea's avowed aim is reunification.
    Live television footage showed the two men shaking hands at the start of the three-day meeting in the North Korean capital.
    President Roh said he was aiming for a "peace settlement together with economic development".
    But commentators noted that Kim Jong-il spent only a few minutes with Mr Roh, leaving his deputy Kim Yong-nam to host the South Koreans for the rest of the day, including a banquet in which Mr Roh toasted Kim Jong-il's health.
    THE TWO KOREAS 1910: Korean Peninsula colonised by Japan1945: Divided into US-backed South and Soviet-backed North1950-1953: Korean War, no peace deal signed1987: North Korea bombs a South airliner, killing 1151990s: South Korea introduces conciliatory Sunshine Policy2000: Kim Jong-il and Kim Dae-jung hold first leaders' summit2007: Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun hold second leaders' summit
    No official agenda has been announced for the talks, but one item that is not expected to be discussed is North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. That is being left for the ongoing multi-party talks.
    The first summit led to the former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his "sunshine policy" of rapprochement with the North.
    Since then, rail and road links have been built, although there has only been one, symbolic border rail crossing. Families divided between the two countries have also been granted reunions, if only briefly.
    Millions of people died in the 1950-53 Korean war, a civil conflict which drew in several bigger powers, and it has never been formally ended. Seoul has promoted hopes for a permanent truce while North Korea's avowed aim is reunification.