The United States President, Donald Trump made history on Saturday after he became the first serving American President to cross the border into North Korea.
Trump met with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong Un at the border to shake hands and cross into North Korea.
Trump shook hands with Kim Jong Un at the border line on the Korean peninsula’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) in what is seen as a swift turnaround in Twitter diplomacy after he floated the idea on social media earlier on Saturday.
The American leader was invited to cross the line by Mr. Kim and after stepping over, Trump spent a brief time in North Korea before bringing Kim back with him into South Korea.
During the brief meeting, both leaders agreed to revive talks on the North’s nuclear weapons programme.
Although The Korean War never officially ended, the demarcation line marks the divide between the two nations and has been in place since 1953.
The historic handshake and photo opportunity is the third time both leaders have met and the first meeting since a failed second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in February.
It will also give both leaders some political points at although there are yet no indications that there would be another breakthrough in talks between the US and the secretive North Korea.
“Leaving South Korea after a wonderful meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un. Stood on the soil of North Korea, an important statement for all and a great honor!”,” Trump tweeted after the meeting.
Every US president since Ronald Reagan has visited the 1953 armistice line except for George H.W. Bush who visited when he was Vice President under Mr. Reagan.
The DMZ, which is 284 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide is believed to be the most heavily fortified strip of land in the world.
It is a minefield laced with barbed wire and guarded by combat troops on both sides. It has also been the site of numerous, sometimes deadly gun battles and skirmishes in the past.
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