The seccond inter-Korean Summit was held from October 2-4 with many impresssive and significant activitites. RoK President Roh Moo-hyun was accompanied by a 300 member delegation including government leaders, entrepreneurs and artists.

The convoy stopped at the demilitarized zone to allow the president and his wife, to cross into the North on foot - the first time a South Korean leader has ever done this. They stepped across a yellow plastic tape, printed with the words "peace" and "prosperity".

“I do hope after my crossing that more people will follow suit. This line will gradually be erased and the wall will fall." said President Roh at the border.

No such activities were held at the first inter-Korea Summit held in 2000 in Pyongyang.
The most prominent outcomes from the first summit was that relatives from both Koreas had the chance to meet each other and an industrial park was opened as a symbol of bilateral cooperation. However, information and transport networks between the two Koreas have not yet been connected, making them as far away from each other as they were 50 years ago.

In fact, after the Korean War ended in 1953, there was only a ceasefire not an official end to the war. This was the reason why the two Koreas found it difficult to create an environment that would facilitate national reconciliation and cooperation for mutual development. On the other hand, building a peace deal required the involvement of the US, which was part of the 1953 Armistice Agreement. However, Pyongyang and Seoul should now join efforts to realise this goal.

The policy “ Peace and Prosperity” initiated by RoK President Roh Moo-hyun to reach the goal of unification and reconciliation is similar to the one pursued by the DPRK towards the unification between the two Koreas without outside interference.

The warm welcome given to RoK President Roh Moo-hyun by his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong  II in front of crowds who cheered and waved paper flowers and Mr Roh Moo-hyun crossing the border on foot for talks with Mr Kim are vivid manifestations of both sides’ aspirations for national reconciliation and reunification between the two Koreas.

The goal has now become clearer when at the second summit, the two Korean leaders focused their discussions on issues related to the border, family reunion, tourism, mining exploitation and measures aimed at promoting peace on the Korean peninsular. Increasing aid and investment for the DPRK and the reopening of an inter-Korean railway system were also discussed. Meanwhile, sensitive issues related to kidnappings, prisoners of war were not touched upon at this summit with a view to creating favourable conditions for the two sides to obtain satisfactory results for peace and cooperation.

This is also the wish of the international community and other regional countries since peace and reunification between the two Koreas will serve as a factor in helping the international community resolve nuclear issues positively in order to maintain stability, security and cooperation in the region and the world.

The positive results from this summit will gradually help the DPRK, which is facing difficulties in its national economy and regional and international integration.
Meanwhile, the RoK will have the advantage of tapping into minerals and other natural resources from Pyongyang to boost its tourism development after uniting with the DPRK. In addition, the positive summit will help President Roh Moo-hyun gain an advantage in the presidential elections to be held in the next two months.

The historic event provides a good opportunity for the leaders of both Koreas to implement a reunification process. The goal will not be realised unless the leaders from sides, regional countries and all concerned parties make full use of this opportunity in a spirit of good-will, cooperation for the sake of peace, stability and happiness for the people of both Koreas and as well as the Asia Pacific region.