Korea reveals summit details

President Kim: "North Koreans long for their brethren"

The president of South Korea has outlined details of his historic summit in Pyongyang - but hinted that there is still much left undisclosed.

Speaking on his return to Seoul, Kim Dae-jung revealed the two parties had agreed to work on reunification, boost economic ties, tackle the issue of families separated during the war and re-open railway lines between the North and the South.

"We can put an end to the 55 years of division and hostility," he said in an address broadcast live on television.

Main agreements

Work towards unification

Reunite families

Boost economic co-operation

Reopen railway links

"I desire nothing more than for my recent visit to the North to have played a small part in paving the road to peace on the Korean peninsula and ultimately the unification of our fatherland," Mr Kim said.

He said the agreements must not be allowed to fail as previous ones had done.

The details

• The two leaders agreed to work on establishing a loose federation which would leave both countries their separate diplomatic and military powers.

• The issue of reunification will be resolved "independently" and through the joint efforts of the Korean people.

• A summit council, a ministerial-level cabinet council, and a parliamentary council would deal with any problems that arose.

• The leaders also agreed to tackle the problem of families separated during the Korean War in 1950-1953, when the two countries split.

• The South Korean leader promised that he, in turn, would deal with the long-term prisoners' issue raised by North Korea.

• The two presidents decided to develop economic co-operation.

But Mr Kim also hinted that he was not in a position to disclose all the details of the talks in Pyongyang.

"There are number of good things that were understood, but it is not proper time yet to reveal them," Mr Kim said.

'Same blood'

Mr Kim said he had discovered North Koreans were no different from South Koreans.

It is important for our citizens to believe that there will no longer be war

Kim Dae-jung

"People living in Pyongyang share the same blood and are of the same nation.

"I sensed after talking with them a little that their longing for and love of their Southern brethren are deeply rooted in their hearts."

Mr Kim said such feelings were only natural as the Korean nation had been united for 5,000 years.

"Such a nation can never turn away from one another or become spiritually unrelated because of separation by others for just over 55 years."

'New steel silk route'

He said it was important that the two counties began working together, ahead of any future reunification.

Mr Kim said the leaders had also discussed reopening rail routes through North Korea.

The two leaders toast the success of the summit

"If we only solve the problem with North Korea, we can successfully reach Europe," he said.

"This will be the new steel silk route and will open a new era for the North and South to enjoy great economic prosperity."

Mr Kim also stressed that the peninsula was no longer at war.

"It is important for our citizens to believe that there will no longer be war," he said.

"We will not permit unification through communising Korea but will not harm North Korea either.

"We will co-exist and co-prosper to make Korea a first-class nation in the 21st century."