North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-on
(Picture: AP)The end of the Korean War has been formally agreed in principle by North and South Korea, the US and China, said the South’s President Moon Jae-in.
Tensions have been high between North, backed by China, and South Korea, supported by the US.
The Korean War ended in armistice, not a peace treaty, in 1953 - three years after it started.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Mr Moon said talks have yet to get underway because of North Korea’s demands.
“Because of that, we are not able to sit down for a discussion or negotiation on the declaration... We hope the talks will be initiated,” he said at a press conference in Canberra, Australia while visiting.
He was speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Mr Moon said its relationship with China was important when it come to achieving peace with North Korea.
“Therefore, South Korea is focused on the steadfast alliance with the U.S. and also with China,” Moon said. “We want a harmonised relationship.”
Elsewhere, South Korea signed a $720 million (£544 million) defence deal with Australia in the largest defence contract struck between Australia and an Asian nation.
“The contract that we have signed today, I think, speaks volumes about what we believe are the capabilities of the Korean defence industry,” Morrison said.
The South Korean President was the first foreign leader to visit Australia since the pandemic began in 2020.
