In pictures: Historic crossing

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has travelled by road to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, for a summit with leader Kim Jong-il.

Mr Roh's motorcade left Seoul early on Tuesday for the summit, which is only the second between leaders from the two nations since the Korean war ended in 1953.

North Korean officials waited to greet him as he crossed the border near the village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone between the two sides.

Mr Roh and his wife, Kwon Yang-sook, crossed into the North on foot, walking over a yellow plastic tape printed with the words "peace" and "prosperity".

North Korean women in traditional outfits presented flowers to Mr Roh and his wife after he walked across the border - the first South Korean leader ever to do so.

Images of events were beamed back to journalists in Seoul and shown on a huge television screen.

Mr Roh then got back in the car for the three-hour drive to Pyongyang.

Once in Pyongyang, President Roh was greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (left), in the first ever meeting between the two men.

Thousands of North Koreans waved pink paper flowers to mark the start of the three-day summit. President Roh later held talks with North Korea's deputy leader, Kim Jong-nam (right).

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