Korean Peninsula: DPRK and South Korean leaders will hold summit in September

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02:09

As inter-Korean relations continue to thaw, the leaders of the divided peninsula announce they will go forward with a long-awaited summit in Pyongyang next month. The announcement came amid high-level talks held in the demilitarized zone. Here's CGTN's Jack Barton with this report from the DMZ.

A third summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un will be held in mid to late September in Pyongyang.

RI SON GWON, CHAIRMAN DPRK COMMITTEE FOR THE PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION OF THE FATHERLAND "I hope that we can meet at the Pyongyang summit, which is scheduled to be held in September, with a full sense of responsibility and a clear conscience."

The announcement was made at the Demilitarized Zone on Monday, amid high expectations of deepening inter-Korean ties. Moon and Kim agreed to hold a Pyongyang summit in autumn when they first met back in April.

The two leaders met again in May having organized an impromptu summit only the day before after Donald Trump briefly pulled out of his then-impending Singapore summit with Kim Jong-un.

JACK BARTON DMZ "Here in South Korea most analysts say the fact Pyongyang called this meeting with Seoul today is evidence of a growing diplomatic impasse between Pyongyang and Washington."

Washington and Seoul have been frustrated that no progress has yet been made on denuclearization.

While Pyongyang has complained that despite a weapons test freeze and the handover of U.S. military remains there has been no sanctions relief or a peace agreement to formally end the Korean War.

RI SON GWON, CHAIRMAN DPRK COMMITTEE FOR THE PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION OF THE FATHERLAND "If the issues that were raised at the talks aren't resolved, unexpected problems could emerge and the issues that are already on the schedule may face difficulties."

South Korean officials at the meeting said it would be up to the DPRK to announce a date for the third summit since it will be hosting the event. Jack Barton, CGTN at the Demilitarized Zone.