North Korea and South Korea start first official talks in 2 years


Representatives from North and South Korea are now meeting in Panmunjom, a village in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), to discuss ways North Korea can participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics next month in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
These are the first talks between the countries in two years, and South Korea also said it hopes this meeting improves relations between the Koreas. "The people have a strong desire to see the North and South move toward peace and reconciliation," Seoul's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said.
Each delegation has five members, and they are meeting at a building called the Peace House. Panmunjom was founded in 1953 after the Korean War ended in a truce, as a place for both sides to meet for discussions. The village was split in half, with North Korea in charge of one side and South Korea overseeing the other.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
6 hotels offering fun and unexpected amenities
The Week Recommends Have a butler walk your dog and a guitar sent to your room. But not have your guitar walked.
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku medium: April 10, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: April 10, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published