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Korea talks will not be extended South 'pleased' with Korea talks
(39 minutes later)
The leaders of the two Koreas have ended a second day of historic talks in Pyongyang with a decision not to extend the summit by a day. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has said he is pleased with the results of historic talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.
South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il will end their meeting as planned on Thursday with a joint declaration. Mr Roh said he was "satisfied with the outcome" and that the two side were drafting an agreement for the end of the three-day summit on Thursday.
It is only the second-ever meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas, which are still technically at war.It is only the second-ever meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas, which are still technically at war.
They are expected to discuss disputed sea boundaries and economic ties. They were expected to discuss disputed sea boundaries and economic ties.
Mr Roh said earlier that he hoped the summit would ease tensions between the two countries, but correspondents say expectations for progress are modest. Mr Roh said earlier that he hoped the summit would ease tensions between the two countries, but correspondents said expectations for progress were modest.
Mr Kim had proposed earlier on Wednesday that Mr Roh stay on in the North for an extra day.Mr Kim had proposed earlier on Wednesday that Mr Roh stay on in the North for an extra day.
South Korea media reports say Mr Roh turned down Mr Kim's offer.South Korea media reports say Mr Roh turned down Mr Kim's offer.
However, after the second day of talks ended, Mr Kim said the discussions had been adequate and that the summit would be concluded as planned, reports said.However, after the second day of talks ended, Mr Kim said the discussions had been adequate and that the summit would be concluded as planned, reports said.
'Honest talks''Honest talks'
Little information has been released about the subjects under discussion, but it is thought they will touch on the location of sea boundaries, a contentious issue left over from the 1950-1953 conflict. Little information has been released about the subjects under discussion, but it is thought talks will touch on the location of sea boundaries, a contentious issue left over from the 1950-1953 conflict.
During a break in talks on Wednesday, Mr Roh described his morning session with Mr Kim as "honest and frank" but said that the two sides must learn to trust each other.During a break in talks on Wednesday, Mr Roh described his morning session with Mr Kim as "honest and frank" but said that the two sides must learn to trust each other.
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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7022080.stm">Mixed feelings over summit In pictures: Historic crossing 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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7025624.stm">Gifts spur DVD diplomacy In pictures: Historic crossing
He said Pyongyang was dissatisfied with the speed of development of a joint industrial park run by the South in Kaesong.He said Pyongyang was dissatisfied with the speed of development of a joint industrial park run by the South in Kaesong.
Mr Roh also said the North expressed regret that the international stand-off over its nuclear weapons programs had prevented greater economic co-operation with the South.Mr Roh also said the North expressed regret that the international stand-off over its nuclear weapons programs had prevented greater economic co-operation with the South.
North Korea's nuclear programme is the subject of separate international six-party talks.North Korea's nuclear programme is the subject of separate international six-party talks.
In a development on Tuesday, the US said it has approved an agreement over North Korea's nuclear weapons that would see its main nuclear facility disabled by the end of the year.In a development on Tuesday, the US said it has approved an agreement over North Korea's nuclear weapons that would see its main nuclear facility disabled by the end of the year.
Mr Kim appeared upbeat when the two leaders met on Wednesday, smiling repeatedly as he received a gift of 150 South Korean DVDs.Mr Kim appeared upbeat when the two leaders met on Wednesday, smiling repeatedly as he received a gift of 150 South Korean DVDs.
South Korea had earlier denied that President Roh was given a cool reception by Mr Kim, who appeared dour and unsmiling when he welcomed the South Korean leader on Tuesday.South Korea had earlier denied that President Roh was given a cool reception by Mr Kim, who appeared dour and unsmiling when he welcomed the South Korean leader on Tuesday.
Millions of people died in the 1950-53 Korean war, a civil conflict which drew in several bigger powers and has never been formally ended.Millions of people died in the 1950-53 Korean war, a civil conflict which drew in several bigger powers and has never been formally ended.
Seoul has promoted hopes for a permanent truce while North Korea's avowed aim is reunification.Seoul has promoted hopes for a permanent truce while North Korea's avowed aim is reunification.