As a journalist, reporting on any diplomatic summit is tricky. But reporting on a summit happening 200 kilometers away in one of the most secluded countries in the world is downright challenging.
Between September 18 and 20, journalists from around the world converged on the main press center of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyongyang at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul.
Back in April, the world saw Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un meeting for a historic summit at the truce border town of Panmunjom. That event lasted just one day, with live footage beamed back in near real-time under the watchful eye of eager journalists.
People walk past a sign reading "Peace, A New Future" outside the Inter-Korean Summit press center in Seoul, September 18, 2018. /CGTN Photo
Who can forget that iconic scene of Moon and Kim chatting on a sky blue footbridge?
Five months later, this time around the summit was happening in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang over a span of three days. Leading up to the event, ROK officials were tight-lipped on what to expect.
The summit hit the ground running when the first-ever live feed appeared on the press center's giant screens Tuesday morning. Camera footage of Moon's private plane landing at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport was a sign of more historic scenes to come.
When Moon and Kim first met at Panmunjom in April, a collective gasp could be heard throughout the press center. Some reporters were even seen shedding a tear. It takes a lot to emotionally move journalists. We're the ones that are supposed to be level-headed and report the news objectively.
When Kim greeted Moon this time, the novelty had worn off. The mood could best be described as "Hey, we've been through this already. Let's get down to business."
CGTN correspondent Shane Hahm reports among more than 2,000 journalists registered to cover the Inter-Korean Summit at the main press center in Seoul on September 18, 2018. /CGTN Photo
From that moment forward, information would trickle in. ROK's presidential senior secretary for communication Yoon Young-chan briefed journalists with sporadic updates. Visuals would be transmitted on delay, sometimes hours at a time, as the traveling Pyongyang Press Corps rushed to send images back.
Two moments stood out at this summit: First when the two sides agreed that Kim would visit Seoul "in the near future." The sound of heads spinning, imagining the logistical preparation and planning for such an event loomed over the press hall.
Second, the indelible and lasting highlight from this summit is undoubtedly the image of Moon and Kim posing for photos on Mount Paektu. The mountain is revered in Korean culture as the highest peak on the Peninsula. The moment reeks of symbolism.
Whether this summit was a success or not will depend on what one's expectations were.
As a journalist, it's our job to relay facts and provide the tools needed to help people make these sorts of judgments.
In the meantime, see you at the next Inter-Korean Summit in Seoul.
(Cover: ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un pose for photographs on the top of Mt. Paektu, on September 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo)