US hopes inter-Korean summit will aid peace process

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The United States is hopeful talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un and the Republic of Korea's (ROK) President Moon Jae-in will make progress towards achieving peace and prosperity, the White House said in a statement on Thursday.

The White House also said it looks forward to continuing discussions with the ROK in preparation for the planned meeting of President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and ROK President Moon Jae-in shake hands at the truce village of Panmunjom, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un shake hands at border

Explainer: Inter-Korean summits

The leaders of the North and the South exchanged a warm handshake over the demarcation line that divides the two ahead of a historic summit.

"I am happy to meet you," Moon Jae-in told Kim, as he became the first leader from the DPRK to step into the ROK since the Korean War.

DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un and ROK's President Moon Jae-in walk across the military demarcation line ahead of the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

Moon also briefly stepped into the DPRK before walking back.

The summit is expected to have an impact on a proposed meeting between US President Donald Trump and DPRK's Kim, CGTN's White House correspondent Nathan King reported.

No date has been set for the Trump-Kim meeting, though officials appear to be aiming for May or June. If the two leaders get together, it would be the first time the heads of state for the US and the DPRK have ever met.

DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un and ROK's President Moon Jae-in pose for a photo with children ahead of the inter-Korean summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

Earlier on Thursday, Trump told the Fox News Channel that whether his meeting with Kim will indeed take place is still a matter of speculation, and that he is ready to walk away if need be.

"It could be that I walk out quickly. With respect, but it could be,” he told the hosts. “It could be that maybe the meeting doesn’t even take place. Who knows?”