Observations of and Thoughts on the North South Summit at Panmunjeom: "The destiny of our people shall only be determined by us."




The table for the negotiations in the peace house was changed to an oval shape, to imply closer cooperation between the two states, and the large portrait in one room is changed to the famous Geumgansan mountain peak range, rather than Bektusan or Hallasan at the respective poles of the North and South, to reflect the accommodation of the respective states. Bektusan is the famous volcano on the Chinese border of North Korea. Hallasan is the largest volcano in the center of Cheju island.


The Geumgangsan region in North Korea was open to South Korean tourism between 1999 and 2008. The facilties there were used by the International Red Cross to arrange north south family reunions.

Later at the ceremonial planting of the "Peace and Prosperity Tree," in the Joint Security Area, Kim shoveled soil brought from Hallasan, Chejudo, South Korea, and Moon shoveled soil brought from Bektusan, North Korea.


It's hard to read Kim's writing in the guest register in the Peace House, there is an introductory phrase to the writing that I think says "A new history from this time an era of peace, from the historic starting point...." then his illegible signature. His writing is right handed and slants upward and to the right.


Kim said it took some effort to bring the cold noodles from Pyongyang. Then he quipped, "I shouldn't say it's far away (any longer)." Then
he said, "let's not worry too much about the eleven years we didn't talk to each other. (let's make the most of this) we must be successful."
Moon said, "the moment Kim stepped over the DML, made Panmoonjeom the symbol of peace." Moon wrote in the register, "Everyone in the world wishes for peace, let's give them that gift."


Kim had said earlier that he was moved that Moon came to the DML to meet him. That was the audio from the very beginning when Kim stepped up to the line.

The Japanese press has live coverage focusing on the event. Evidently some of the coverage's editorial content is "we need to see something concrete." As if nothing positive has happened yet.


Kim did say "let's make some good results today," more than once. Expressly using the "us" form of the verb.



Here's my comment on an RT CrossTalk video on youtube, Korean Peace Blitz, April 25, before the summit, as the guests floundered around the Korean issues:


"Il gwol (one bundle) v. dan gae (phased) negotiations. The American position seeks complete verifiable irreversible denuclearization in one bundle. The other parties except Japan seek a phased implementation with reciprocal action for action. S. Korea tries to bridge the differences with a bundled package agreement with a phased implementation. Maintaining "maximum pressure" (sanctions) until total CVID won't work. The US hardline position initially proposed by Trump has the potential to fail catastrophically in one meeting. North Korea isn't going to accept just "sweet words," in exchange for tangible implementation of denuclearization. Pompeo seems aware of this. Will Trump move into a give and take reciprocal step by step implementation, or stick with the so called Libyan method of denuclearization?"

Post summit thoughts-

The Blue House itself has said the US needs to demonstrate more flexibility. While Emanuel Pastreich says Moon has been "lucky," I don't know if you could call Korean history one of luck, but he unquestionably gets the historical context referring to nationalist Kim Koo, who went to North Korea to meet Kim Il Sung in 1948, and who was assassinated by order of Syngmun Rhee's intelligence director a year later. He also recognizes the significance of the candlelight demonstrations that brought down Park Kun Hae and brought Moon to power. He's a wonderful interpreter of Korean events for American and other English speaking peoples to hear. He also discusses the spiritual dimension of these historic developments.


South Korean neighborhood neng myun (cold noodle) restaurants are mobbed after Kim brings Pyongyang neng myun to the Peace House for the delagations to enjoy at dinner.


JTBC is reporting that the official press in North Korea is making known the government's intention to have complete denuclearization. This is the first such public disclosure in North Korea and is a significant event. It's interesting that they are also quoting the North Korean newspaper report to say that the two leaders had a frank and candid exchange of perspectives on the problems associated with a denuclearization of the peninsula.


Nevertheless, it says that "it was confirmed that it is the joint objective of the North and South to achieve complete denuclearization of the peninsula."


It is said in the JTBC news report that the views of Trump or the Trump position on denuclearization was discussed during the 30 minute private conversation between Moon and Kim, and that Moon conveyed Trump's position.


The understandings negotiated for a complete denuclearization are that the North denuclearize and return to the NPT agreement and allow IAEA inspections as soon as possible. Also that any plans for future nuclear weapons should be completely abandoned. It looks to me that Kim has basically agreed to the US objectives here as far as that it should be complete and verifiable. As soon as possible differs from a phased approach in the past. I saw a streamer in the live news reporting reference to Moon saying we need to get this done as soon as possible, emphasizing that time was of the essence.


In return it appears that Moon's negotiators have made promises that there are/will be no US nuclear weapons in S.Korea, and that the US has no intentions of attacking nor invading North Korea whether by nuclear or conventional weapons. These statements are said to provide the contextual background for understanding the meaning of the Sixth provision. So the order of things is still the issue, China is saying that the peace agreement, the resolution of the armistice state of affairs for the peace treaty should be completed first and the US must come forward now and take action. This is in contrast to Trump's vague optimism and blandishments such as, we'll go to the meeting and see how it turns out. So the fourth provision on peace comes before the agreement on denuclearization according to the Chinese.


Moon is hoping to get the joint economic zone in Kesong reopened by the next summit in the fall.


Moon agreed to having the maritime zone around the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea, which has been a matter of dispute since the armistice, to be a "peace zone." I understand that a hot line was set up for this region just recently, before the summit, and the desire is to avoid armed confrontations in the area, such as that which led to military conflicts in the recent past. In return, for this agreement, the North recognized the NLL which it has never done before. They had their own line, and maritime territorial claim. There are several other conventional arms reductions goals agreed to by the parties.


Conservative elements are in an uproar over this.
"See you in Pyongyang this fall..."