Korean leaders meet

Leaders of North and South Korea met in Pyongyang on Tuesday for an historic three-day summit. South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun is asking Kim Jong-Il for arms cuts in exchange for economic help. Whatever happens, said The Seattle Times, it's encouragin

Leaders of North and South Korea met in Pyongyang on Tuesday for an historic three-day summit. North Korea’s reclusive leader, Kim Jong-Il, personally greeted South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun, who is asking for arms cuts in exchange for help rebuilding North Korea’s economy with a “joint economic community” designed to be a precursor to reunification. As Roh was escorted through town in a limousine, crowds chanted in unison, “Unify the fatherland!”

Whatever happens at this summit, said The Seattle Times in an editorial, it’s encouraging to see both sides sit down for “civil” conversation. This is, after all, only the second time leaders from the North and the South have met since the Korean War was halted. “Admirable progress after so much blood, bluster and nuttiness.” Will the summit end with a “symbolic peace agreement,” or will “diplomatic missteps behind closed doors” set the clock back?

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