Denuclearization key issue for 3rd inter-Korean summit

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Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un and the Republic of Korea's (ROK) President Moon Jae-in will discuss the implementation of denuclearization during the upcoming third inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang on Tuesday, Moon's chief of staff Im Jong-seok told a press conference one day ahead of the summit.

"Now, denuclearization is a key issue (at the inter-Korean summit)," the chief added.

Moon will have at least two occasions to discuss ways to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula with the DPRK leader, Im noted.

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Summit's schedule

The two leaders will hold bilateral talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the result is expected to be announced on Wednesday, ROK's Yonhap news agency reported.

Moon will fly to DPRK on Tuesday morning at about 8:40 am local time, via direct flight from Seoul's Seongnam Air Base, and is scheduled to arrive at 10:00 am, he will then meet Kim in the afternoon for the first summit meeting. After the talks, a welcome banquet will be held in the evening on the same day.

The second meeting will be held on Wednesday morning, followed by a joint press conference, and after lunch both leaders will visit several main facilities in Pyongyang.

According to Im, Moon will return to the ROK on Thursday morning, and the DPRK side will hold a farewell ceremony at the airport.

People look at posters advertising the summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un during a photo exhibition to support the upcoming inter-Korean summit on September 17, 2018, in Seoul, ROK. /VCG Photo

Moon to have 'frank talks' with Kim

Moon said Monday that he will have frank talks with Kim Jong Un during the upcoming inter-Korean summit.

He told a meeting with his senior aides that it will be significant to make a fruitful development in inter-Korean relations by implementing the past agreements, which the two sides have reached, rather than reaching additional agreements.

For the implementation, building trust between the two Koreas would be the must-do, Moon noted.

"I aim to frankly have many talks with Chairman Kim Jong Un during the upcoming summit," Moon said ahead of his first visit to the DPRK's capital city since he took office in May last year.

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What else is on the agenda

Other than denuclearization, the two sides are also expected to reach an agreement on easing military tensions and avoiding military conflicts.

Meanwhile, the normalization of the activities for separated families will be further promoted.

What's different this time?

The upcoming summit will be broadcast live for the first time since Moon and Kim held their historic first summit in April.

"Which part of the summit will be aired is still under discussion," the chief said, but it's certain that specific parts of their talks will not be shared.

The ROK's advance team of 93 officials has left for the DPRK to prepare for the summit, including government officials, technology staff and journalists.

The two leaders held their first summit in the border village of Panmunjom on April 27, followed by their second meeting there on May 26.

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