Editing North Korea–South Korea relations (section)

== Thaw in 2017 and 2018 ==
{{See also|2017–2018 North Korea crisis|2018–19 Korean peace process}}[[File:Kim Jong-un meeting with South Korean envoys at the Workers' Party of Korea main building.jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong Un]] meeting with South Korean envoys at the [[Workers' Party of Korea]] main building, 6 March 2018]]
In May 2017 [[Moon Jae-in]] was elected President of South Korea with a promise to return to the Sunshine Policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-koreas-likely-next-president-warns-the-us-not-to-meddle-in-its-democracy/2017/05/02/2295255e-29c1-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|title=South Korea's likely next president warns the U.S. not to meddle in its democracy|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502160241/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-koreas-likely-next-president-warns-the-us-not-to-meddle-in-its-democracy/2017/05/02/2295255e-29c1-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|archive-date=2 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In his New Year address for 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proposed sending a delegation to the [[North Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics|upcoming Winter Olympics]] in South Korea.<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/31/asia/kim-jong-un-new-year-address-nuclear/index.html Kim Jong Un offers rare olive branch to South Korea]  CNN. By Alanne Orjoux and Steve George. 2 January 2018. Downloaded 2 January 2018.</ref> The [[Seoul–Pyongyang hotline]] was reopened after almost two years.<ref>{{cite news | title = North Korea reopens cross-border communication channel with South Korea | last = Kim | first = Hyung-Jin | work = Chicago Tribune | agency = Associated Press | date = 3 January 2018 | access-date = 5 January 2018 | url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-south-korea-talks-north-20180102-story.html | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180104221341/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-south-korea-talks-north-20180102-story.html | archive-date = 4 January 2018 }}</ref> At the Winter Olympics, North and South Korea marched together in the opening ceremony and fielded a united women's ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/|title='Cheer Up!' North Korean Cheerleaders Rally Unified Women's Hockey Team During 8–0 Loss|first1=Sean|last1=Gregory|author2=Gangneug|magazine=Time|date=10 February 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409023358/http://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> As well as the athletes, North Korea sent an unprecedented high-level delegation, headed by [[Kim Yo Jong]], sister of Kim Jong Un, and President [[Kim Yong-nam|Kim Yong Nam]], and including performers like the [[Samjiyon Orchestra]].<ref name=Delegation>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo|title=Delegation visit shows N. Korea can take "drastic" steps to improve relations: MOU|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=12 February 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102708/https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo/|archive-date=28 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A North Korean art troupe also performed in two separate South Korean cities, including Seoul, in honor of the Olympic games as well.<ref>{{YouTube|id=fESOnIgvB0A|title=North Korea's art troupe arrives in South Korea via ferry Tuesday}}</ref> The North Korean ship which carried the art troupe, [[Man Gyong Bong 92]], was also the first North Korean ship to arrive in South Korea since 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/carrying-art-troupe-north-koreas-mangyongbong-92-arrives-in-south-korea/|title=Carrying art troupe, North Korea's Mangyongbong-92 arrives in South Korea|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=6 February 2018}}</ref> The delegation passed on an invitation to President Moon to visit North Korea.<ref name=Delegation/>

Following the Olympics, authorities of the two countries raised the possibility that they could host the [[2021 Asian Winter Games]] together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/north-korea-co-host-2021-asian-games-south|title=North Korea could co-host 2021 Asian Games with South, official says|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 February 2018|access-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305200646/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/north-korea-co-host-2021-asian-games-south|archive-date=5 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 April, South Korean [[K-pop]] stars performed a concert in Pyongyang entitled "[[Spring is Coming]]", which was attended by Kim Jong Un and his wife.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-perfor/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-wife-watch-south-korean-k-pop-stars-perform-in-pyongyang-idUSKCN1H81A5|title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un, wife, watch South Korean K-pop stars perform in Pyongyang|first1=Christine|last1=Kim|first2=Heekyong|last2=Yang|work=[[Reuters]]|date=2 April 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427202650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-perfor/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-wife-watch-south-korean-k-pop-stars-perform-in-pyongyang-idUSKCN1H81A5|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The K-pop stars were part of a 160-member South Korean art troupe which performed in North Korea in early April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/03/seoul-to-send-160-member-art-troupe-including-k-pop-singers-to-pyongyang/|title=Seoul to send 160-member art troupe, including K-pop singers, to Pyongyang|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=arttroupereturn>{{YouTube|id=XSpQUPDXGco|title=North Korean art troupe returns home after performances in the South}}</ref> It also marked the first time since 2005 that any South Korean artist performed in North Korea.<ref name=arttroupereturn /> Meanwhile, propaganda broadcasts stopped on both sides.<ref name="auto1"/>

[[File:2018 inter-Korean summit square.jpg|thumb|Kim and Moon shake hands in greeting at the demarcation line.]]

On 27 April, a [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit|summit]] took place between Moon and Kim in the South Korean zone of the [[Joint Security Area]] (JSA). It was the first time since the Korean War that a North Korean leader had entered South Korean territory.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/location-of-planned-inter-korean-summit-hints-at-changes-in-north-korea-strategy-say|title=Location of planned inter-Korean summit hints at changes in North Korea strategy, say experts|date=8 March 2018|access-date=24 March 2018|work=[[The Straits Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314170743/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/location-of-planned-inter-korean-summit-hints-at-changes-in-north-korea-strategy-say|archive-date=14 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in met at the line that divides Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/north-korea-south-korea-summit-intl/ |title=North Korea-South Korea summit: Live updates |work=[[CNN]]|date=5 June 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612212456/https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/north-korea-south-korea-summit-intl/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The summit ended with both countries pledging to work towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html|title=North and South Korea Set Bold Goals: A Final Peace and No Nuclear Arms|last=Sang-Hun|first=Choe|date=27 April 2018|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=27 April 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427094734/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/korean-leaders-aim-for-end-of-war-complete-denuclearisation-after-historic-summit-idUSKBN1HX2I6|title=Korean leaders aim for end of war, 'complete denuclearisation'...|last=Kim|first=Christine|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=27 April 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427095857/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/korean-leaders-aim-for-end-of-war-complete-denuclearisation-after-historic-summit-idUSKBN1HX2I6|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> They also vowed to declare an official end to the Korean War within a year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html |title=North and South Korea Set Bold Goals: A Final Peace and No Nuclear Arms |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=27 April 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141435/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live |last1=Sang-Hun |first1=Choe }}</ref> As part of the [[Panmunjom Declaration]] which was signed by leaders of both countries, both sides also called for the end of longstanding military activities in the region of the Korean border and a reunification of Korea.<ref name=april272018 /> Also, the leaders agreed to work together to connect and modernise their railways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/04/27/north-korea-and-south-korea-make-pledge-to-connect-border-railways/|title=North Korea and South Korea make pledge to connect border railways – Global Rail News|date=27 April 2018|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608212812/https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/04/27/north-korea-and-south-korea-make-pledge-to-connect-border-railways/|archive-date=8 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 5 May, North Korea adjusted its time zone to match the South's.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44010705|title=North Korea changes its time zone to match South|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=5 May 2018|access-date=17 September 2021}}</ref> In May, South Korea began removing [[Korean Demilitarized Zone loudspeakers|propaganda loudspeakers]] from the border area in line with the Panmunjom Declaration.<ref>{{Citation|title=South Korea begins dismantling propaganda speakers – CNN Video|date=May 2018 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/01/south-north-korea-dmz-propaganda-loudspeakers-lon-orig-ejk.cnn|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174613/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/01/south-north-korea-dmz-propaganda-loudspeakers-lon-orig-ejk.cnn|archive-date=16 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Moon and Kim met a [[May 2018 inter-Korean summit|second time]] on 26 May to discuss Kim's upcoming summit with Trump.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/south-korean-president-met-north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-saturday-10280606 |title=North and South Korean leaders meet to discuss Kim-Trump summit |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214233402/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-and-south-korean-leaders-meet-to-discuss-kim-trump-summit-10280606 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The summit led to further meetings between North and South Korean officials during June.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/full-address-by-south-korean-president-moon-jae-in-on-may-26-inter-korea-summit|title=Full address by South Korean President Moon Jae In on May 26 inter-Korea summit|newspaper=[[The Straits Times]]|date=27 May 2018}}</ref> On 1 June, officials from both countries agreed to move forward with the military and Red Cross talks.<ref name=june1>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/01/rival-koreas-agree-to-military-red-cross-talks-for-peace.html|title=Rival Koreas agree to military, Red Cross talks for peace|date=1 June 2018|publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref> They also agreed to reopen an [[Inter-Korean Liaison Office]] in Kaesong that the South had shut down in February 2016 after a North Korean nuclear test.<ref name=june1 /> The second meeting, involving the Red Cross and military, was held at North Korea's Mount Kumgang resort on 22 June where it was agreed that family reunions would resume.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/diplomacy/article/2152091/north-and-south-korea-confirm-family-reunions-will-resume-august|title=North and South Korea confirm family reunions will resume in August for the first time since 2015|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=22 June 2018|author=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref> After the summit in April, a summit between [[2018 North Korea–United States summit|US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un]] was held on 12 June 2018 in [[Singapore]]. South Korea hailed it as a success.<ref>{{cite web |title=South Korea hails Trump-Kim Singapore summit as 'talks of the century' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/south-korea-hails-trump-kim-singapore-summit-as-talks-of-the-10423218 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=17 December 2024 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614034500/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/south-korea-hails-trump-kim-singapore-summit-as-talks-of-the-10423218 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

South Korea announced on 23 June 2018 that it would not conduct annual military exercises with the US in September, and would also stop its own drills in the Yellow Sea, in order to not provoke North Korea and to continue a peaceful dialog.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bowden |first1=John |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/393752-us-military-indefinitely-suspends-two-training-exercises-with-south-korea/ |title=US military indefinitely suspends two training exercises with South Korea &#124; The Hill |work=The Hill |date=23 June 2018 |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628044341/http://thehill.com/policy/defense/393752-us-military-indefinitely-suspends-two-training-exercises-with-south-korea |archive-date=28 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 1 July 2018 South and North Korea have resumed ship-to-ship radio communication, which could prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korean military vessels around the [[Northern Limit Line]] (NLL) in the West (Yellow) Sea.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/851559.html|title=South and North Korea resume ship-to-ship radio communications after 10 years|date=2 July 2018|newspaper=[[The Hankyoreh]]|language=en}}</ref> On 17 July 2018, South and North Korea fully restored their military communication line on the western part of the peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=송상호 |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/07/17/0200000000AEN20180717003451315.html |title=(LEAD) Two Koreas fully restore western military communication line |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=17 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717054746/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/07/17/0200000000AEN20180717003451315.html |archive-date=17 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

South Korea and North Korea competed as [[Unified Korean sporting teams|"Korea"]] in some events at the [[2018 Asian Games]].<ref>{{cite news |title=North & South Korea agree to some combined teams at Asian Games |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/44517819 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203349/https://www.bbc.com/sport/44517819 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The co-operation extended to the [[film industry]], with South Korea giving their approval to screen North Korean movies at the country's local festival while inviting several moviemakers from the latter.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea approves rare screening of North Korea movies at film festival |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-approves-rare-screening-of-north-korea-movies-at-film-festival |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=10 July 2018 |language=en |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710195003/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-approves-rare-screening-of-north-korea-movies-at-film-festival |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=North, South Korea agree to joint sports events and create combined teams for Asian Games |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-south-korea-agree-to-joint-sports-events-and-create-10443750 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710194529/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-south-korea-agree-to-joint-sports-events-and-create-10443750 |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=South Korean film industry forges closer ties with North Korea |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/south-korean-film-industry-forges-closer-ties-with-north-korea/5130798.article |work=Screen |language=en |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710132851/https://www.screendaily.com/news/south-korean-film-industry-forges-closer-ties-with-north-korea/5130798.article |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In August 2018 reunions of families divided since the Korean War took place at Mount Kumgang in North Korea.<ref>{{cite news|title=Second group of separated Korean families meet for three-day reunion|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/08/second-group-of-separated-korean-families-meet-for-three-day-reunion/|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|publisher=[[NK News]]|date=24 August 2018}}</ref> In September, at a [[September 2018 inter-Korean summit|summit with Moon]] in Pyongyang, Kim agreed to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons facilities if the United States took reciprocal action. In Pyongyang, an agreement titled the "Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018" was signed by both Korean leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/9/19/17878428/north-south-korea-kim-moon-declaration|title=North and South Korea just signed a major agreement. It may be bad news for Trump.|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=19 September 2018 }}</ref> The agreement calls for the removal of landmines, guard posts, weapons, and personnel in the JSA from both sides of the North-South Korean border.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1034057/koreas-agreed-to-disarm-border-village|title=Koreas agreed to disarm border village|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/moon-kim-sign-agreement-north-korea-steps-denuclearize/story?id=57925068|title=Moon, Kim sign agreement for North Korea to take further steps to denuclearize|first1=Joohee|last1=Cho|first2=Hakyung|last2=Kate Lee|date=19 September 2018|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=upisource>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/09/19/North-South-Korea-to-halt-military-drills-in-border-area/5211537339644/|title=North, South Korea to halt military drills in border area|first=Wooyoung|last=Lee|date=19 September 2018|work=United Press International|access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref> They also agreed that they would establish buffer zones on their borders to prevent clashes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-19/north-korea-agrees-to-dismanlte-nuclear-test-site/10282040|title=North Korea agrees to dismantle nuclear complex if United States takes reciprocal action, South says|publisher=ABC|date=19 September 2018}}</ref> Moon became the first South Korean leader to give a speech to the North Korean public when he addressed 150,000 spectators at the [[Arirang Festival]] on 19 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45578491|title=South Korea's Moon Jae-in makes unprecedented mass games speech|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Also during the September 2018 summit, military leaders from both countries signed an Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, Exchanges and Cooperation" (a.k.a. "the Basic Agreement") to help ensure less military tension between both countries and greater arms control.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/north-and-south-koreas-new-military-agreement/|title=North and South Korea's New Military Agreement|first=Sukjoon|last=Yoon|date=2 October 2018|magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/pyongyang-declaration-implications-us-rok-coordination-north-korea|title=The Pyongyang Declaration: Implications for U.S.-ROK Coordination on North Korea|first=Scott A.|last=Snyder|date=24 September 2018|publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/at-fifth-inter-korean-summit-koreas-announce-major-military-to-military-agreements/|title=At Fifth Inter-Korean Summit, Koreas Announce Major Military-to-Military Agreements|date=19 September 2018|first=Ankit|last=Panda|magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]}}</ref>

On 23 October 2018, Moon ratified the Basic Agreement and Pyongyang Declaration just hours after they were approved by his cabinet.<ref name=oct23>{{Cite web |url=https://www.whig.com/article/20181023/AP/310239955#// |title=SKorea approves NKorea deals amid conservative opposition - Herald-Whig - |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116081302/https://www.whig.com/article/20181023/AP/310239955#// |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 30 November 2018, a South Korean train crossed the DMZ border with North Korea and stopped at [[Panmun Station]]. This was the first time a South Korean train had entered North Korean territory since 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46395408|title=South Korean train crosses DMZ into North Korea|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=30 November 2018}}</ref>