The handshake that made history. pic.twitter.com/JB09Ce9mHt

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 27, 2018

In a statement, the White House said:

" On the occasion of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, we wish the Korean people well.

We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula.

The United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for the planned meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong-un in the coming week.

Jong-un announced last week he would suspend nuclear tests, which was welcomed by the US and South Korea as a positive step forward.

What a photo. This is actually the unscripted moment Kim encouraged Moon to step briefly into the North, the press pool were all on the South side, hence their backs are turned to the cameras. pic.twitter.com/pgOpydLmo4

— Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) April 27, 2018

As well as discussing Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, the two leaders are expected to discuss a path to peace between the two countries.

During their meeting they spoke about Jong-un’s gift of cold noodles called naengmyeon, a North Korean signature dish.

Jong-un reportedly joked:

" I hope you will enjoy our naengmyeon brought from afar … oh, maybe I shouldn’t say ‘afar’?

According to the Washington Post, Jong-un and Jae-in vowed to have more meetings.

Jong-un reportedly joked he would make sure not to interrupt Jae-in’s sleep anymore, a reference to the ‘North’s drumbeat of early morning missile tests last year’.

The North Korean leader also reportedly referred to a South Korean island his country attacked with artillery in 2010, killing four, saying the residents of Yeonpyeong Island who have been living in fear of North Korean artillery have high hopes the summit will ‘help heal past scars’.

It’s early days for a relationship to build but this hopefully is one step in the right direction.

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