North Korea and South Korea hold first talks for more than two years

There were positive signs today that tensions on the Korean peninsula would ease after delegates from North Korea and South Korea held successful preparatory talks at Panmunjom, where the armistice ending fighting in the 1950-1953 Korean War was signed.

North Korea and South Korea agreed to hold a ministerial meeting in Seoul on Wednesday, to discuss issues including reopening the Gaeseong industrial complex, restarting tours to Mount Geumgang, and reunions of families separated by the war.

Today’s meeting at the demilitarised zone was aimed at easing animosity and rebuilding shattered relations following a nuclear test by North Korea and joint military exercises by South Korea and the US.

The meeting was the first of its kind on the Korean peninsula in more than two years, and is a boost for President Park Geun-hye’s policy of adopting a more flexible approach to relations with North Korea.