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Korean leaders issue peace call Korean leaders issue peace call
(20 minutes later)
The leaders of North and South Korea have signed a joint declaration calling for a permanent peace deal on the Korean Peninsula.The leaders of North and South Korea have signed a joint declaration calling for a permanent peace deal on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and his counterpart, Kim Jong-il, issued the declaration after a three-day historic summit in Pyongyang.South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and his counterpart, Kim Jong-il, issued the declaration after a three-day historic summit in Pyongyang.
They called for international talks to discuss a treaty to replace the armistice that ended the Korean War.They called for international talks to discuss a treaty to replace the armistice that ended the Korean War.
They also agreed economic steps, like resuming cross-border freight service.They also agreed economic steps, like resuming cross-border freight service.
The summit is only the second ever between leaders of the two nations.The summit is only the second ever between leaders of the two nations.
'Permanent peace''Permanent peace'
Mr Roh and Mr Kim shook hands and drank a toast after they signed the eight-point declaration.Mr Roh and Mr Kim shook hands and drank a toast after they signed the eight-point declaration.
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 Gifts spur DVD diplomacy 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 Gifts spur DVD diplomacy class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/03/the_korean_war/html/default.stm">History of the Korean War
"The South and North share the view that they should end the current armistice system and build up a permanent peace system," the declaration said."The South and North share the view that they should end the current armistice system and build up a permanent peace system," the declaration said.
It called for leaders of nations concerned to meet on the Korean Peninsula and agree an end to the 1950-1953 war.It called for leaders of nations concerned to meet on the Korean Peninsula and agree an end to the 1950-1953 war.
Any such talks would likely involve the US and China, which, along with North Korea, signed the armistice that ended the war.Any such talks would likely involve the US and China, which, along with North Korea, signed the armistice that ended the war.
South Korea did not sign and remains technically at war with the North.South Korea did not sign and remains technically at war with the North.
The two sides also agreed to resume freight rail services across the heavily fortified border, for the first time in more than five decades.The two sides also agreed to resume freight rail services across the heavily fortified border, for the first time in more than five decades.
Agreements were also reached on establishing a joint fishing zone in the disputed western sea border and on holding regular summits, although no timetable was given for these.Agreements were also reached on establishing a joint fishing zone in the disputed western sea border and on holding regular summits, although no timetable was given for these.
More reunions between families divided by the partitioning of the Korean Peninsula would be held, the declaration said.More reunions between families divided by the partitioning of the Korean Peninsula would be held, the declaration said.
Leaders of the two Koreas have met only once before, when the South Korean leader, Kim Dae-jung, visited North Korea in 2000. The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says that, while there is a sense that history is being made, the detail of the declaration will be important.
That meeting triggered improved cross-border dialogue and more economic cooperation. A similar optimism surrounded the first summit seven years ago, attended by former South Korean leader Kim Dae-jung, but many people feel very little has really changed, our correspondent adds.
Nuclear dealNuclear deal
The declaration comes a day after officials involved in international talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programme revealed that Pyongyang had committed to a timetable to disable its nuclear facilities.The declaration comes a day after officials involved in international talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programme revealed that Pyongyang had committed to a timetable to disable its nuclear facilities.
Pyongyang has already closed its main Yongbyon reactor in return for aid.Pyongyang has already closed its main Yongbyon reactor in return for aid.
It has now formally committed to disabling the reactor and related sites, and fully disclosing all aspects of its nuclear programme by the end of the year.It has now formally committed to disabling the reactor and related sites, and fully disclosing all aspects of its nuclear programme by the end of the year.
A US-led team of experts is to go to North Korea in the next two weeks to begin the process.A US-led team of experts is to go to North Korea in the next two weeks to begin the process.
The final crucial phase of the deal - where North Korea surrenders its existing nuclear stockpile - is due to be implemented next year.The final crucial phase of the deal - where North Korea surrenders its existing nuclear stockpile - is due to be implemented next year.
US President George W Bush has welcomed the agreement, but Japan - one of the six countries involved in the talks - remained cautious.US President George W Bush has welcomed the agreement, but Japan - one of the six countries involved in the talks - remained cautious.
On Thursday its ruling party backed extending sanctions against North Korea, citing a lack of progress in a row over Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang.On Thursday its ruling party backed extending sanctions against North Korea, citing a lack of progress in a row over Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang.
North Korea carried out its first nuclear test in October 2006.North Korea carried out its first nuclear test in October 2006.