DPRK, ROK start high-level talks to prepare for leaders' summit

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) started high-level talks on Thursday to discuss preparations for the meeting between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and ROK President Moon Jae-in.

Top officials from both sides met at the Tongilgak building on the northern side of Panmunjom.

"Over the past 80 days, there have been many dramatic events that have not been seen earlier," Yonhap reported citing the DPRK's chief delegate Ri Son Gwon's remarks at the start of the meeting.

ROK Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyun (L) talks with his DPRK counterpart Ri Son Gwon (R), who is chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, during their meeting at the Unification Pavilion building on the northern side of the border truce village of Panmunjom on March 29, 2018.

"The issue of (the DPRK's) denuclearization has been the most important agenda item. ... That's the issue that we will focus on for discussion," Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, the ROK's chief delegate for Thursday's talks, told reporters before leaving for Panmunjom, according to Yonhap.

The date and agenda for the summit is expected to be decided at the meeting, said the presidential Blue House.

(CGTN)