Afghanistan welcomes North, South Korea breakthrough

KABUL has welcomed North and South Korea historic commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and pledge to bring a formal end to the Korean War.

In a remarkable day-long summit, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong Un embraced, planted a tree and talked alone for more than 30 minutes.

Then they signed the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula, which commits the two countries to denuclearization. It was a startling conclusion to the first meeting between leaders of the two countries in 10 years.

In separate speeches, Kim and Moon promised a new era. Addressing the world's media live on television for the first time, Kim said the Koreas "will be reunited as one country." Moon said: "There will not be any more war on the Korean peninsula."

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to Pajhwok Afghan News said the launch of talks between the two Koreas was an important and historic development.

“A new chapter of cooperation would open between the two countries and the talks would help reduce nuclear threats as well.”

The government of Afghanistan believed talks were the only way to resolve issues. “The way the two Koreas launched negotiations, the government of Afghanistan had offered to the Taliban”

The statement said Afghanistan hoped talks between South and North Korea would bear fruits results and build the environment of trust between the two countries.

nh/ma