Kim Jong Un seemed intent on setting a lighthearted tone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in — even though the North and South are still technically at war.
- During the historic meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Kim joked that it's taken them 11 years to organize a visit, despite that a portion of the demarcation line separating the countries at Panmunjom is quite slim.
- "The 200-meter separation line is not too difficult for people to get over. It's actually too easy to get over, and it took us 11 years to get here," Kim told Moon during their first face-to-face meeting.
- Kim seemed intent on setting a lighthearted tone with Moon — even though the North and South are still technically at war.
During the historic meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Kim joked that it's taken them 11 years to organize a visit, despite that a portion of the demarcation line separating the countries at Panmunjom is actually quite slim.
Kim said in his opening remarks, "The 200-meter separation line is not too difficult for people to get over. It's actually too easy to get over, and it took us 11 years to get here."
Kim said he thought to himself as he was walking towards the South Korean leader why it remained "so difficult" to cross over onto the South Korean side.
At the start of the summit, Kim symbolically walked from the North Korean side of the demarcation line to the South Korean side, a first for the Kim dynasty.
The area where the leaders met, called the Truce Village of Panmunjom or the Joint Security area, is the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face.
The area houses several buildings, including the Panmun-gak Pavilion on the North side, several iconic blue houses which serve as international conference rooms in the middle, and the Freedom House sitting just opposite on the South Korean side.
Kim and Moon finally sat down for their meeting at the Peace House, a building situated just behind the Freedom House. The procession to the Peace House included a red carpet, and an orchestral welcome by the South Korean armed forces.
Kim seemed intent on deflecting any lingering tension between the North and South; the two sides are still technically at war with one another.
During their initial meeting, the two reportedly made an unscripted step onto the North Korean side of the border after Moon asked Kim when he would "be able to cross over," to which Kim replied, "then shall we cross over now?" Kim appeared to coax Moon to step onto the Northern side, holding his hand tightly.
And during their face-to-face meeting inside the Peace House, Kim spoke about bringing over North Korea's signature dish of cold noodles, called naengmyeon, to a meal set to be shared between the leaders.
"I hope you will enjoy our naengmyeon brought from afar ... oh, maybe I shouldn't say 'afar?'" he joked.