North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

KJU Holds Second Meeting with Moon

Kim Jong Un and Kim Yong Chol meet with South Korean President Moon Jae In on the north side of the DMZ on May 26, 2018 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

KJU’s last observed appearance was his visit to the construction of the Wo’nsan-Kalma Coast Tourist Zone

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) met with ROK President Moon Jae In (Mun Chae-in) at T’ongil House on the DPRK side of P’anmunjo’m during the afternoon [KST] of May 26 (Saturday).  In attendance with KJU was Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairman for and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l); joining President Moon was ROK National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon (So Hun).

Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae In shake hands on May 26, 2018 (Photo: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

A Korean People’s Army [KPA] honor guard lined the entrance of the meeting venue at P’anmunjo’m “the historic land which had once come under global spotlights as a symbol of peace for making a new start of the north-south relation and opening up a new era of reconciliation and unity, witnessed another significant meeting between the top leaders of the north and south of Korea in 29 days.”  Jong Un “warmly greeted” President Moon.  According DPRK state media “the two top leaders were so pleased to have a historic meeting once again at the historic place after the lapse of one month.”

(Photo: Rodong Sinmun/KCNA).

Before sitting down for the meeting, Moon Jae In signed the guest book, inscribing “Peace and Prosperity of the Korean Peninsula together with Chairman Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea!”  Then Jong Un and Moon posed for a commemorative photograph to mark the fourth meeting of the leaders of the DPRK and ROK.  Jong Un then shook hands and exchanged civilities with the ROK officials who traveled with Moon.

The KJU-MJI interaction was an “in-depth exchange of opinions to tackle the matters that should resolved to quickly implement the P’anmunjo’m Declaration agreed upon at the third north-south summit and to realize the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and achieve regional peace, stability and prosperity, and the matter the north and south are now faced with, and the one of successfully holding the DPRK-US summit.”

ROK President Moon Jae In signs the guest book (Photo: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

Jong Un and President Moon “shared the view that the two sides should trust and take care of each other and exert joint efforts to make sure that the P’anmunjo’m Declaration reflecting the unanimous desire of all Koreans is implemented at an early date.”  They also “agrees to hold the north-south high-level talks upcoming on June 1 and further accelerate the talks of various fields including the ones of military authorities and and the Red Cross.”  They “shared the opinion that they would meet frequently in the future to invigorate dialogue and pool wisdom and efforts, expressing their stand to make joint efforts for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Kim Jong Un “thanked Moon Jae In for much effort made by him for the DPRK-US summit scheduled for June 12” and “expressed his fixed will on the historic DPRK-US summit talks.”  He asked “Moon Jae In to positively cooperate as ever to improve the DPRK-US relations and establish a mechanism for permanent and durable peace” and the two leaders “reached a satisfactory consensus on the matters discussed at the talks.”  Jong Un “warmly embraced Moon Jae In and exchanged good-byes with him, promising to meet again one day.”

(Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

The two leaders “open-heartedly listened to each other’s opinions on the crucial pending matters without formality, and had a candid dialogue” and their interaction “offers another historic occasion in opening up a new chapter in the development of the north-south relations.”  The meeting “recorded in history as a symbol of national reconciliation and unity, peace and prosperity, will provide all Koreans with a new hope and vitality.”

An affiliate of 38 North