North Korea's state-run television KRT on Saturday reported on the inter-Korean summit and called the meeting a turning point for the Korean peninsula.

At the talks on Friday (April 27) both sides had a candid and earnest exchange of views on the matters of mutual concern including the issues of improving the north-south relations, ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and the denuclearization of the peninsula, KRT news reader said.

KRT separately reported the joint statement North Korea's Kim and South Korea's Moon presented after the first summit in more than a decade between the two Koreas.

Kim and Moon had pledged to work for "complete denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula and agreed on a common goal of a "nuclear-free" peninsula.

Kim and Moon had pledged to work for 'complete denuclearization' of the Korean peninsula and agreed on a common goal of a 'nuclear-free' peninsula

North Korea's state-run television KRT on Saturday reported on the inter-Korean summit and called the meeting a turning point for the Korean peninsula. At the talks on Friday (April 27) both sides had a candid and earnest exchange of views on the matters of mutual concern including the issues of improving the north-south relations, ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and the denuclearization of the peninsula, KRT news reader said. KRT separately reported the joint statement North Korea's Kim and South Korea's Moon presented after the first summit in more than a decade between the two Koreas. Kim and Moon had pledged to work for "complete denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula and agreed on a common goal of a "nuclear-free" peninsula.

North Korea state media hails inter-Korean summit

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-the-inter-korean-summit-ground-report-from-dmz-132567">Ahead of the inter-Korean summit, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-the-inter-korean-summit-ground-report-from-dmz-132567">ground</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-the-inter-korean-summit-ground-report-from-dmz-132567"> report from DMZ</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will make history on Friday by becoming the first North Korean leader to set foot in South Korea in six decades. He will meet South Korean president Moon Jae-in for the third inter-Korean summit. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/casting-couch-exists-everywhere-even-parliament-not-immune-to-it-claims-renuka-chowdhury-132550">Watch: 'Casting couch’ exists everywhere, even Parliament not immune, claims Renuka Chowdhury</a>

Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday made a claim on the alleged culture of ‘casting couch’ that has often brought the Indian film industry under attack.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-intention-of-signing-fta-with-china-right-now-bangladesh-132561">No intention of signing FTA with China right now: Bangladesh</a>

Bangladesh is in no rush to sign a free trade agreement with China, a senior Bangladeshi trade official said on Tuesday, though Chinese officials said it would help the poor South Asian country cut its deficit with its largest trading partner.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-will-face-severe-consequences-if-nuclear-deal-not-accepted-iran-president-132538">Trump will face 'severe consequences' if nuclear deal not accepted: Iran President</a>

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday warned US President Donald Trump to remain in the nuclear deal or else he could face "severe consequences."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-world-war-ii-era-dakota-finally-home-bound-to-india-132589">Watch: World War-II era Dakota finally home-bound to India</a>

It's a World War-II era aircraft. It's a plane which was a game-changer while transporting Indian troops into Srinagar during the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in 1947 just after India's independence. It's a plane which has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. And it's a plane which is finally home-bound.

Ahead of the inter-Korean summit, ground report from DMZ North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will make history on Friday by becoming the first North Korean leader to set foot in South Korea in six decades. He will meet South Korean president Moon Jae-in for the third inter-Korean summit. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. Watch: 'Casting couch’ exists everywhere, even Parliament not immune, claims Renuka Chowdhury Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday made a claim on the alleged culture of ‘casting couch’ that has often brought the Indian film industry under attack. No intention of signing FTA with China right now: Bangladesh Bangladesh is in no rush to sign a free trade agreement with China, a senior Bangladeshi trade official said on Tuesday, though Chinese officials said it would help the poor South Asian country cut its deficit with its largest trading partner. Trump will face 'severe consequences' if nuclear deal not accepted: Iran President Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday warned US President Donald Trump to remain in the nuclear deal or else he could face "severe consequences." Watch: World War-II era Dakota finally home-bound to India It's a World War-II era aircraft. It's a plane which was a game-changer while transporting Indian troops into Srinagar during the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in 1947 just after India's independence. It's a plane which has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. And it's a plane which is finally home-bound.

News brief: Big stories of the day

South&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;protesters scuffled with police on Monday (April 23) during a demonstration against a plan to bring some 22 construction vehicles into a U.S. anti-missile system base, in what could become a political risk for President Moon Jae-in ahead of the first inter-Korean&nbsp;summit&nbsp;in more than a decade.

About 200 protesters in the southern city of Seongju blocked the road to oppose the deployment of construction trucks, equipment and workers into the site hosting the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

"A peace treaty is being discussed... There is no more North Korea (nuclear threat) as an excuse (for deployment of THAAD). We can neither understand nor accept construction plans to operate the THAAD," the THAAD residents' committee said in a statement.

As recently stated by&nbsp;one of&nbsp;the opponent's to&nbsp;the deployment of&nbsp;US anti-missile systems, Justice Party MP Kim Jong-dae, "we must approach the THAAD issue not from&nbsp;the standpoint of&nbsp;protests around&nbsp;the base, but&nbsp;from the point of&nbsp;view of&nbsp;a strategic atmosphere of&nbsp;peace, including the development of&nbsp;inter-Korean and North Korean-US relations."

The system is aimed at defending against an attack by North Korea which has been pursuing nuclear and missile programs in defiance of UN&nbsp;Security Council resolutions, prompting threats of war from both the North and the United States.

The Defence Ministry said it is checking the exact number of residents injured from Monday's scuffle, although "no one seems to have been severely injured so far," an official said.

Taking turns in small groups, residents of Soseong-ri have been blocking the only road to the site since the middle of last year, so that no military vehicles enter the deployment site, forcing the U.S. military to use helicopters instead to shuttle fuel, food and other supplies.

The US Army's THAAD system that has been deployed in&nbsp;South Korea under&nbsp;the 2016 deal between&nbsp;the two countries is designed to&nbsp;shoot down&nbsp;short- to&nbsp;medium-range ballistic missiles in&nbsp;the terminal phase of&nbsp;their approach to&nbsp;a target.

China strongly opposes the THAAD deployment as&nbsp;it believes it could be used as&nbsp;an instrument against&nbsp;the country.

About 200 protesters in the southern city of Seongju blocked the road to oppose the deployment of construction trucks, equipment and workers into the site hosting the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system

South Korean protesters scuffled with police on Monday (April 23) during a demonstration against a plan to bring some 22 construction vehicles into a U.S. anti-missile system base, in what could become a political risk for President Moon Jae-in ahead of the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade. About 200 protesters in the southern city of Seongju blocked the road to oppose the deployment of construction trucks, equipment and workers into the site hosting the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. "A peace treaty is being discussed... There is no more North Korea (nuclear threat) as an excuse (for deployment of THAAD). We can neither understand nor accept construction plans to operate the THAAD," the THAAD residents' committee said in a statement. As recently stated by one of the opponent's to the deployment of US anti-missile systems, Justice Party MP Kim Jong-dae, "we must approach the THAAD issue not from the standpoint of protests around the base, but from the point of view of a strategic atmosphere of peace, including the development of inter-Korean and North Korean-US relations." The system is aimed at defending against an attack by North Korea which has been pursuing nuclear and missile programs in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, prompting threats of war from both the North and the United States. The Defence Ministry said it is checking the exact number of residents injured from Monday's scuffle, although "no one seems to have been severely injured so far," an official said. Taking turns in small groups, residents of Soseong-ri have been blocking the only road to the site since the middle of last year, so that no military vehicles enter the deployment site, forcing the U.S. military to use helicopters instead to shuttle fuel, food and other supplies. The US Army's THAAD system that has been deployed in South Korea under the 2016 deal between the two countries is designed to shoot down short- to medium-range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of their approach to a target. China strongly opposes the THAAD deployment as it believes it could be used as an instrument against the country.

Watch: South Korean protesters scuffle with police over US anti-missile system ahead of inter-Korean summit

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un today attended the first concert in Pyongyang for over a decade by South Korean entertainers, including a K-pop girlband, the latest gesture of reconciliation before a rare inter-Korean summit.

The visit, described by many as a cultural charm-offensive by the South, came as a diplomatic thaw quickens on the peninsula after months of military tensions.

The 120-member group -- 11 musical acts as well as dancers, technicians and martial artists -- gave one concert today with another set for Tuesday.

Kim and his wife, a former singer herself, came to watch today's show, making him the first leader of the North to attend a concert by South Korean performers.

Kim shook hands and took photos with the Seoul stars backstage, saying inter-Korean cultural events should be held more often and suggesting another event in the South Korean capital this autumn, pool reports said.

The young couple were seen clapping their hands during the two-hour event -- also attended by Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, and ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam.

"He (Kim Jong Un) showed great interest in the songs and lyrics (of South Korean singers) during the concert," Do Jong-hwan, Seoul's culture chief and the head of the delegation, told reporters.

The South's taekwondo athletes also staged a performance before an audience of 2,300 in Pyongyang on Sunday ahead of a joint display of the Korean martial art with the North's practitioners on Monday.

The rapprochement was triggered by the South's Winter Olympics, to which the North's leader Kim Jong Un sent athletes, cheerleaders and his powerful sister as an envoy.

A North Korean art troupe, the 140-strong Samjiyon Orchestra, staged two performances in South Korea in February to celebrate the Games.

Kim followed up by agreeing to a summit with the South's President Moon Jae-in, and offering a face-to-face meet with US President Donald Trump. Kim also met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week during his first overseas trip.

The inter-Korean summit, the third after meetings in 2000 and 2007, will be held on April 27. No date has been set for the US-North Korean summit although it is expected before the end of May.

In another sign of eased tensions, an annual US-South Korean military exercise which got under way in the South Sunday will last for just one month compared to some two months normally.

This year's drills feature fewer strategic weapons such as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Seoul's military has said. The deployment of such powerful weaponry during past drills has frequently drawn an angry response from the North.

Today's concert to a packed audience at the elaborately decorated 1,500-seat East Pyongyang Grand Theatre ended with a standing ovation after a finale in which all the stars appeared on stage to sing a song about unification.

One of the most closely watched acts was Red Velvet, part of the South's hugely popular K-pop phenomenon that has taken audiences in Asia and beyond by storm in recent decades.

The five-member girlband -- known for its signature K-pop mix of upbeat electronic music, stylish fashion and high-voltage choreography -- performed two of their hits, "Bad Boy" and "Red Flavour".

Joy, one of the five members, missed the trip to Pyongyang due to her TV drama shooting schedule.

"The North's audience applauded to our performance much louder than we expected and even sang along to our songs... It was a big relief," band member Yeri told reporters.

"I told myself, 'let's do our best even if there's no response (from the audience)... But they showed so much reaction," added a member called Wendy.

Another member, Seulgi, appeared red-eyed as she bid farewell to the audience at the end of the concert, apparently overcome with emotion.

Despite the North's isolation and strict curbs on unauthorised foreign culture, enforced with prison terms, K-pop and Seoul's TV shows have become increasingly popular there thanks to flash drives smuggled across the border with China.

The emcee of the concert was a popular member of K-pop girlband Girls' Generation, Seohyun, who had performed with the visiting Pyongyang singers during their Seoul concert in February.

Legendary South Korean singer Cho Yong-pil, who held a solo sell-out concert in Pyongyang in 2005, was another star of the show.

Kim's late father and longtime ruler, Kim Jong Il, was known to be a fan of the 68-year-old Cho.

Another famous singer, Choi Jin-hee, also performed for the fourth time in the North and sang "Maze of Love" -- a pan-peninsula hit and another of the late Kim's favourites.

But not all onlookers were receptive to the K-pop offensive.

During the taekwondo event, a previously raptured audience member turned stone-faced when the athletes showcased a performance combining K-pop dance and Taekwondo routines to a hit song of ultra-popular boyband BTS.

The stiffened crowd refused to respond to the athletes who motioned them to clap their hands to "Fire" -- an intense electro-dance score peppered with rapid-fire rap delivered in both Korean and English.&nbsp;

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un today attended the first concert in Pyongyang for over a decade by South Korean entertainers, including a K-pop girlband, the latest gesture of reconciliation before a rare inter-Korean summit

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un today attended the first concert in Pyongyang for over a decade by South Korean entertainers, including a K-pop girlband, the latest gesture of reconciliation before a rare inter-Korean summit. The visit, described by many as a cultural charm-offensive by the South, came as a diplomatic thaw quickens on the peninsula after months of military tensions. The 120-member group -- 11 musical acts as well as dancers, technicians and martial artists -- gave one concert today with another set for Tuesday. Kim and his wife, a former singer herself, came to watch today's show, making him the first leader of the North to attend a concert by South Korean performers. Kim shook hands and took photos with the Seoul stars backstage, saying inter-Korean cultural events should be held more often and suggesting another event in the South Korean capital this autumn, pool reports said. The young couple were seen clapping their hands during the two-hour event -- also attended by Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, and ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam. "He (Kim Jong Un) showed great interest in the songs and lyrics (of South Korean singers) during the concert," Do Jong-hwan, Seoul's culture chief and the head of the delegation, told reporters. The South's taekwondo athletes also staged a performance before an audience of 2,300 in Pyongyang on Sunday ahead of a joint display of the Korean martial art with the North's practitioners on Monday. The rapprochement was triggered by the South's Winter Olympics, to which the North's leader Kim Jong Un sent athletes, cheerleaders and his powerful sister as an envoy. A North Korean art troupe, the 140-strong Samjiyon Orchestra, staged two performances in South Korea in February to celebrate the Games. Kim followed up by agreeing to a summit with the South's President Moon Jae-in, and offering a face-to-face meet with US President Donald Trump. Kim also met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week during his first overseas trip. The inter-Korean summit, the third after meetings in 2000 and 2007, will be held on April 27. No date has been set for the US-North Korean summit although it is expected before the end of May. In another sign of eased tensions, an annual US-South Korean military exercise which got under way in the South Sunday will last for just one month compared to some two months normally. This year's drills feature fewer strategic weapons such as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Seoul's military has said. The deployment of such powerful weaponry during past drills has frequently drawn an angry response from the North. Today's concert to a packed audience at the elaborately decorated 1,500-seat East Pyongyang Grand Theatre ended with a standing ovation after a finale in which all the stars appeared on stage to sing a song about unification. One of the most closely watched acts was Red Velvet, part of the South's hugely popular K-pop phenomenon that has taken audiences in Asia and beyond by storm in recent decades. The five-member girlband -- known for its signature K-pop mix of upbeat electronic music, stylish fashion and high-voltage choreography -- performed two of their hits, "Bad Boy" and "Red Flavour". Joy, one of the five members, missed the trip to Pyongyang due to her TV drama shooting schedule. "The North's audience applauded to our performance much louder than we expected and even sang along to our songs... It was a big relief," band member Yeri told reporters. "I told myself, 'let's do our best even if there's no response (from the audience)... But they showed so much reaction," added a member called Wendy. Another member, Seulgi, appeared red-eyed as she bid farewell to the audience at the end of the concert, apparently overcome with emotion. Despite the North's isolation and strict curbs on unauthorised foreign culture, enforced with prison terms, K-pop and Seoul's TV shows have become increasingly popular there thanks to flash drives smuggled across the border with China. The emcee of the concert was a popular member of K-pop girlband Girls' Generation, Seohyun, who had performed with the visiting Pyongyang singers during their Seoul concert in February. Legendary South Korean singer Cho Yong-pil, who held a solo sell-out concert in Pyongyang in 2005, was another star of the show. Kim's late father and longtime ruler, Kim Jong Il, was known to be a fan of the 68-year-old Cho. Another famous singer, Choi Jin-hee, also performed for the fourth time in the North and sang "Maze of Love" -- a pan-peninsula hit and another of the late Kim's favourites. But not all onlookers were receptive to the K-pop offensive. During the taekwondo event, a previously raptured audience member turned stone-faced when the athletes showcased a performance combining K-pop dance and Taekwondo routines to a hit song of ultra-popular boyband BTS. The stiffened crowd refused to respond to the athletes who motioned them to clap their hands to "Fire" -- an intense electro-dance score peppered with rapid-fire rap delivered in both Korean and English.

North Korea's Kim attends South Korea concert in latest reconciliatory move