Shedding tears behind South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un after the two leaders announced a historic agreement on Friday was a man who has worked for two decades to set up an unlikely dialogue between old enemies.

Nearly 18 years after Suh Hoon, a South Korean intelligence official, traveled to Pyongyang to persuade reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to hold an unprecedented first summit in the North Korean capital in 2000, he watched Kim’s son pledging peace on the Korean peninsula on Friday – this time just south of the heavily militarised border.

Friday was the first time any North Korean leader set foot on South Korean soil since the 1950-53 Korean War left the country divided and the two neighbours in a technical state of conflict.

The landmark encounter came less than a year after South Korea’s liberal president Moon took office and quickly tapped Suh as chief of the National Intelligence Service, saying he was “the right person” to revive inter-Korean ties strained over North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-armed missiles.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-summit-south-korea-plots-roadmap-for-trumps-meeting-with-kim-jong-un-133405">After </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-summit-south-korea-plots-roadmap-for-trumps-meeting-with-kim-jong-un-133405">summit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-summit-south-korea-plots-roadmap-for-trumps-meeting-with-kim-jong-un-133405">, South Korea plots 'roadmap' for Trump's meeting with Kim Jong-Un</a>

“It is too premature to talk about a next inter-Korean summit,” Suh told reporters last year after his appointment was announced, returning him to the agency he quit in 2008 when a conservative government was elected. “But we need it.”

Suh, who personally helped arrange two previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007, is viewed as the country’s top expert on North Korea. He is known as the South Korean who met with late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il the most.

Lee Jong-Seok, a former unification minister who visited Pyongyang with Suh in 2003 as then-South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun’s special envoys, called Suh the “No. 1 negotiator with North Korea” in his 2014 memoir.

Suh, 64, also lived in North Korea for two years in the late 1990s, involved in a plan to build a nuclear reactor as part of a 1994 international deal to freeze Pyongyang’s nuclear programmes. That deal eventually collapsed.

“He came in knowing already how it works and what to do, and Moon gave him clear political guidance,” said John Delury, a North Korea expert at Yonsei University in Seoul.

The presidential Blue House declined to comment on Suh’s role. The intelligence service could not be reached for comment.

HUMAN NETWORK

In March, he was part of the 10-member delegation that visited third-generation leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, becoming one of the first South Korean officials to meet Kim since he took power in late 2011 following his father’s death.

At the meeting, Kim not only agreed to meet Moon but also stunned Suh and other envoys by saying he would be willing to discuss denuclearisation with U.S. President Donald Trump – setting the stage for an unprecedented first meeting between sitting leaders of the two countries, possibly in late May or early June.

Suh later also arranged a trip to Pyongyang for his U.S. counterpart, Mike Pompeo, to meet Kim Jong Un from March 31 to April 2, and lay the groundwork for the planned summit, U.S. officials said.

Pompeo, then CIA director and now confirmed as new U.S. Secretary of State, formed a “good relationship” with Kim and their meeting went “very smoothly,” Trump said.

“I think the human network was deeply engaged in hosting these events,” said Moon Hong-Sik, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul. Moon noted Suh had a relationship not only with Pompeo but also with Kim Yong Chol – a former North Korean military intelligence chief, now leading inter-Korean relations.

Suh was one of two officials Moon picked to join his first official dialogue with Kim Jong Un, who himself was joined by his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, and Kim Yong Chol.

“Just seeing Suh in there spoke volumes about the important role he played in setting up the summit,” said Seo Yu-suk, research manager at the Institute of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

The landmark encounter came less than a year after South Korea's liberal president Moon took office and quickly tapped Suh as chief of the National Intelligence Service, saying he was "the right person" to revive inter-Korean ties.

Shedding tears behind South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un after the two leaders announced a historic agreement on Friday was a man who has worked for two decades to set up an unlikely dialogue between old enemies. Nearly 18 years after Suh Hoon, a South Korean intelligence official, traveled to Pyongyang to persuade reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to hold an unprecedented first summit in the North Korean capital in 2000, he watched Kim’s son pledging peace on the Korean peninsula on Friday – this time just south of the heavily militarised border. Friday was the first time any North Korean leader set foot on South Korean soil since the 1950-53 Korean War left the country divided and the two neighbours in a technical state of conflict. The landmark encounter came less than a year after South Korea’s liberal president Moon took office and quickly tapped Suh as chief of the National Intelligence Service, saying he was “the right person” to revive inter-Korean ties strained over North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-armed missiles. Also read: After summit, South Korea plots 'roadmap' for Trump's meeting with Kim Jong-Un “It is too premature to talk about a next inter-Korean summit,” Suh told reporters last year after his appointment was announced, returning him to the agency he quit in 2008 when a conservative government was elected. “But we need it.” Suh, who personally helped arrange two previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007, is viewed as the country’s top expert on North Korea. He is known as the South Korean who met with late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il the most. Lee Jong-Seok, a former unification minister who visited Pyongyang with Suh in 2003 as then-South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun’s special envoys, called Suh the “No. 1 negotiator with North Korea” in his 2014 memoir. Suh, 64, also lived in North Korea for two years in the late 1990s, involved in a plan to build a nuclear reactor as part of a 1994 international deal to freeze Pyongyang’s nuclear programmes. That deal eventually collapsed. “He came in knowing already how it works and what to do, and Moon gave him clear political guidance,” said John Delury, a North Korea expert at Yonsei University in Seoul. The presidential Blue House declined to comment on Suh’s role. The intelligence service could not be reached for comment. HUMAN NETWORK In March, he was part of the 10-member delegation that visited third-generation leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, becoming one of the first South Korean officials to meet Kim since he took power in late 2011 following his father’s death. At the meeting, Kim not only agreed to meet Moon but also stunned Suh and other envoys by saying he would be willing to discuss denuclearisation with U.S. President Donald Trump – setting the stage for an unprecedented first meeting between sitting leaders of the two countries, possibly in late May or early June. Suh later also arranged a trip to Pyongyang for his U.S. counterpart, Mike Pompeo, to meet Kim Jong Un from March 31 to April 2, and lay the groundwork for the planned summit, U.S. officials said. Pompeo, then CIA director and now confirmed as new U.S. Secretary of State, formed a “good relationship” with Kim and their meeting went “very smoothly,” Trump said. “I think the human network was deeply engaged in hosting these events,” said Moon Hong-Sik, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul. Moon noted Suh had a relationship not only with Pompeo but also with Kim Yong Chol – a former North Korean military intelligence chief, now leading inter-Korean relations. Suh was one of two officials Moon picked to join his first official dialogue with Kim Jong Un, who himself was joined by his younger sister Kim Yo Jong, and Kim Yong Chol. “Just seeing Suh in there spoke volumes about the important role he played in setting up the summit,” said Seo Yu-suk, research manager at the Institute of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

South Korea spy chief played key role in historic meeting with North

US President Donald Trump on Friday hoped that the Korean peninsula will witness peace someday. As Trump spoke to US athletes who participated in the Winter Olympics in South Korea he expressed hope that both sides "can someday live in harmony, prosperity and peace".

"It looks like it could happen," he added. "When I began, people were saying that was an impossibility. They said there were two alternatives: Let them have what they have or go to war. And now we have a much better alternative than anybody thought even possible."

Donald Trump also said that he would be meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in May or June with an aim to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.&nbsp

On Friday, Donald Trump took to Twitter and welcomed the historic meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.&nbsp

In a pair of tweets, Trump appeared optimistic that a summit would be fruitful as he eyed his own meeting with Kim, expected in the coming weeks.

"KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States and all of its GREAT people should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!" Trump said on Twitter.

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KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/989820401596366849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Good things are happening, but only time will tell!" he added.

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After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/989816772713906177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kim and Moon earlier Friday pledged to work toward the "complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," and seek to declare an official end to the 1950s Korean War and establish a permanent peace agreement.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp

Donald Trump also said that he would be meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in May or June

US President Donald Trump on Friday hoped that the Korean peninsula will witness peace someday. As Trump spoke to US athletes who participated in the Winter Olympics in South Korea he expressed hope that both sides "can someday live in harmony, prosperity and peace". "It looks like it could happen," he added. "When I began, people were saying that was an impossibility. They said there were two alternatives: Let them have what they have or go to war. And now we have a much better alternative than anybody thought even possible." Donald Trump also said that he would be meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in May or June with an aim to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. On Friday, Donald Trump took to Twitter and welcomed the historic meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. In a pair of tweets, Trump appeared optimistic that a summit would be fruitful as he eyed his own meeting with Kim, expected in the coming weeks. "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States and all of its GREAT people should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!" Trump said on Twitter. KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018 × "Good things are happening, but only time will tell!" he added. After a furious year of missile launches and Nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018 × Kim and Moon earlier Friday pledged to work toward the "complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," and seek to declare an official end to the 1950s Korean War and establish a permanent peace agreement. (With inputs from Reuters)

'Looks like it could happen': Trump hopes for peace on Korean 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.

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

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South`s President Moon Jae-in discussed denuclearisation and a permanent peace on the Korean peninsula at their summit Friday, Moon`s spokesman Yoon Young-chan said.

"The two leaders had a sincere and frank dialogue over the denuclearisation and the establishment of permanent peace of the Korean peninsula and development of inter-Korea ties,"&nbsp; Young-chan added.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in wrapped up the first round of talks on Friday for their countries' first summit in over a decade, the South's presidential office said.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/watch-north-korea-leader-kim-jong-un-becomes-first-to-cross-south-since-1950-53-war-133133">Kim and Moon </a>will meet later in the afternoon after they have lunch separately. Kim returned to the North in a black limousine with bodyguards surrounding the vehicle as it made its way across the border.

The meet&nbsp;aimed at ending their decades-long conflict and easing tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme, comes weeks before Kim is due to meet US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line, making Kim the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War.

In an unplanned move, Kim invited Moon to step briefly across the demarcation line into North Korea, before the two leaders crossed back into South Korea holding hands.

The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone.

Walking on a red carpet rolled out for the two heads of state, the pair were met by a South Korean honour guard in historical costumes and playing traditional music.

Kim wore glasses and his trademark black Mao suit, while the rest of the North Korean delegation appeared in military uniforms or Western attire.

Kim stopped to sign a guest book in the South's Peace House before the two leaders met for a private discussion.

"A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history," Kim wrote in Korean in the book, dating and signing the entry.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-moon-talks-meticulously-constructed-roundtable-was-made-especially-for-korean-summit-133138">Meticulously constructed roundtable that was made especially for Korean summit</a>

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WATCH: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, crosses the southern border to meet rival Moon Jae-in for the summit on nuke crisis in Panmunjom. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SouthKorea?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SouthKorea</a> <a href="https://t.co/hq58iYQcUz">pic.twitter.com/hq58iYQcUz</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989674433559384064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier Friday, North Korea's official KCNA news agency said Kim would "open-heartedly discuss with Moon Jae-in all the issues arising in improving inter-Korean relations and achieving peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean peninsula."

Just days before the summit, Kim said North Korea would suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests and dismantle its only known nuclear test site.

Moon travelled to the meeting in a large motorcade, stopping briefly to greet dozens of summit supporters waving South Korean flags near the Blue House.

Hundreds of demonstrators were seen gathering in downtown Seoul from early morning to protest or support the summit.

Scepticism has been rampant about whether Kim is ready to abandon the hard-earned nuclear arsenal his country has defended and developed for decades as what it says is a necessary deterrent against US&nbsp;invasion.

The two neighbours expect to release a joint statement late on Friday - possibly called the Panmunjom Declaration - that could address denuclearisation and peace, and an improvement in relations, South Korean officials said.

Unending hostilities

Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because the Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The United States stations 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the Cold War conflict, which pitted the South, the United States and United Nations forces against the communist North, backed by China and Russia.

Kim and Trump are expected to meet in late May or June, with Trump saying on Thursday he was considering several possible dates and venues.

The White House released two photographs of then Secretary of State-designate and CIA chief Mike Pompeo's meeting with Kim in North Korea over the Easter weekend to discuss the planned summit. It was Kim's first known meeting with a US&nbsp;official.

The photos show Kim and Pompeo, who was confirmed as secretary of state on Thursday, shaking hands. In one they faced each other looking serious in the other they both appeared to wear faint smiles.

The latest summit has particular significance not least because of its venue: the Demilitarised Zone, a 160-mile (260-km) long, 2.5-mile (4-km) wide strip of land created in the 1953 armistice to serve as a buffer between the South and North.

For the first time, key moments such as Kim crossing the border into the South, the two leaders shaking hands and walking to the Peace House for their talks, were broadcast live.

Besides capturing the two leaders' candid interactions, the live feed broadcast a few hiccups, including when a key photo op blocked was blocked by a photographer's backside.

The meeting, aimed at ending their decades-long conflict and easing tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme, comes weeks before Kim is due to meet US President Donald Trump

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South`s President Moon Jae-in discussed denuclearisation and a permanent peace on the Korean peninsula at their summit Friday, Moon`s spokesman Yoon Young-chan said. "The two leaders had a sincere and frank dialogue over the denuclearisation and the establishment of permanent peace of the Korean peninsula and development of inter-Korea ties," Young-chan added. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in wrapped up the first round of talks on Friday for their countries' first summit in over a decade, the South's presidential office said. Kim and Moon will meet later in the afternoon after they have lunch separately. Kim returned to the North in a black limousine with bodyguards surrounding the vehicle as it made its way across the border. The meet aimed at ending their decades-long conflict and easing tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme, comes weeks before Kim is due to meet US President Donald Trump. Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line, making Kim the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War. In an unplanned move, Kim invited Moon to step briefly across the demarcation line into North Korea, before the two leaders crossed back into South Korea holding hands. The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone. Walking on a red carpet rolled out for the two heads of state, the pair were met by a South Korean honour guard in historical costumes and playing traditional music. Kim wore glasses and his trademark black Mao suit, while the rest of the North Korean delegation appeared in military uniforms or Western attire. Kim stopped to sign a guest book in the South's Peace House before the two leaders met for a private discussion. "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history," Kim wrote in Korean in the book, dating and signing the entry. Also read: Meticulously constructed roundtable that was made especially for Korean summit WATCH: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, crosses the southern border to meet rival Moon Jae-in for the summit on nuke crisis in Panmunjom. #SouthKorea pic.twitter.com/hq58iYQcUz — ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2018 × Earlier Friday, North Korea's official KCNA news agency said Kim would "open-heartedly discuss with Moon Jae-in all the issues arising in improving inter-Korean relations and achieving peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean peninsula." Just days before the summit, Kim said North Korea would suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests and dismantle its only known nuclear test site. Moon travelled to the meeting in a large motorcade, stopping briefly to greet dozens of summit supporters waving South Korean flags near the Blue House. Hundreds of demonstrators were seen gathering in downtown Seoul from early morning to protest or support the summit. Scepticism has been rampant about whether Kim is ready to abandon the hard-earned nuclear arsenal his country has defended and developed for decades as what it says is a necessary deterrent against US invasion. The two neighbours expect to release a joint statement late on Friday - possibly called the Panmunjom Declaration - that could address denuclearisation and peace, and an improvement in relations, South Korean officials said. Unending hostilities Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because the Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The United States stations 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the Cold War conflict, which pitted the South, the United States and United Nations forces against the communist North, backed by China and Russia. Kim and Trump are expected to meet in late May or June, with Trump saying on Thursday he was considering several possible dates and venues. The White House released two photographs of then Secretary of State-designate and CIA chief Mike Pompeo's meeting with Kim in North Korea over the Easter weekend to discuss the planned summit. It was Kim's first known meeting with a US official. The photos show Kim and Pompeo, who was confirmed as secretary of state on Thursday, shaking hands. In one they faced each other looking serious in the other they both appeared to wear faint smiles. The latest summit has particular significance not least because of its venue: the Demilitarised Zone, a 160-mile (260-km) long, 2.5-mile (4-km) wide strip of land created in the 1953 armistice to serve as a buffer between the South and North. For the first time, key moments such as Kim crossing the border into the South, the two leaders shaking hands and walking to the Peace House for their talks, were broadcast live. Besides capturing the two leaders' candid interactions, the live feed broadcast a few hiccups, including when a key photo op blocked was blocked by a photographer's backside.

Kim and Moon discussed denuclearisation and permanent peace on peninsula: Presidential office

South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived an at the Demilitarized Zone a short while ago. Moon and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jon-Un are geared up for a historic meeting, the first-ever summit between both the nations in more than a decade.

Smiling and holding hands, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between the countries on Friday in the first summit for the two Koreas in over a decade.

Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line at 9:30 a.m. (0030 GMT), making Kim the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War.

Kim invited Moon to step briefly across the demarcation line into North Korea, before the two leaders <a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/watch-north-korea-leader-kim-jong-un-becomes-first-to-cross-south-since-1950-53-war-133133">crossed back into South Korea holding hands</a>.

The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone.

Walking on a red carpet rolled out for the two heads of state, the pair were met by a South Korean honour guard in historical costumes and playing traditional music.

The dialogue between the two Korean leaders is primarily expected to focus on the North's nuclear arsenal.

The Korea summit primarily aims to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and was planned after North Korean leader's recently expressed willingness to put his nuclear program for negotiation after a year of nuclear and missile tests.

Moon is expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program. Kim Jon-Un's crossed the DMZ in a historic act which made him the first North Korean leader to step into the northern side after the Korean War ended 65 years ago.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/heres-what-kim-and-moon-will-feast-on-in-the-korean-summit-this-week-132557">Here's what Kim and Moon will feast on at the Korean Summit this week</a>

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses the southern border to meet rival Moon for the summit on nuke crisis, reports AP <a href="https://t.co/HjjsEb8ti4">pic.twitter.com/HjjsEb8ti4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989664623434616833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The leaders of the two Koreas will seek to end their decades-long conflict and ease tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme.

The two are expected to talk denuclearisation and exchanges between the Koreas and also will plant a memorial tree at the border truce village of Panmunjom as part of the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade.

Friday's summit will set the stage for Kim to meet with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in late May or early June, in what would be an unprecedented first encounter between sitting leaders of the two countries.

Scepticism has been rampant about whether Kim is ready to abandon the hard-earned nuclear arsenal his country has defended and developed for decades as what it says is a necessary deterrent against U.S. invasion.

The two neighbours expect to release a joint statement late on Friday - possibly called the Panmunjom Declaration - that could address denuclearisation and peace, and an improvement in relations, South Korean officials said.

Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because the Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The latest summit has particular significance not least because of its venue: the Demilitarised Zone, a 160-mile (260-km) long, 2.5-mile (4-km) wide strip of land created in the 1953 armistice to serve as a buffer between the South and North.

Both the Koreas have met only thrice.&nbsp;

Moon is expected to greet Kim at the Military Demarcation Line that acts as the border between the two countries

South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived an at the Demilitarized Zone a short while ago. Moon and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jon-Un are geared up for a historic meeting, the first-ever summit between both the nations in more than a decade. Smiling and holding hands, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between the countries on Friday in the first summit for the two Koreas in over a decade. Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line at 9:30 a.m. (0030 GMT), making Kim the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War. Kim invited Moon to step briefly across the demarcation line into North Korea, before the two leaders crossed back into South Korea holding hands. The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone. Walking on a red carpet rolled out for the two heads of state, the pair were met by a South Korean honour guard in historical costumes and playing traditional music. The dialogue between the two Korean leaders is primarily expected to focus on the North's nuclear arsenal. The Korea summit primarily aims to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and was planned after North Korean leader's recently expressed willingness to put his nuclear program for negotiation after a year of nuclear and missile tests. Moon is expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program. Kim Jon-Un's crossed the DMZ in a historic act which made him the first North Korean leader to step into the northern side after the Korean War ended 65 years ago. Also read: Here's what Kim and Moon will feast on at the Korean Summit this week North Korean leader Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses the southern border to meet rival Moon for the summit on nuke crisis, reports AP pic.twitter.com/HjjsEb8ti4 — ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2018 × The leaders of the two Koreas will seek to end their decades-long conflict and ease tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme. The two are expected to talk denuclearisation and exchanges between the Koreas and also will plant a memorial tree at the border truce village of Panmunjom as part of the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade. Friday's summit will set the stage for Kim to meet with US President Donald Trump in late May or early June, in what would be an unprecedented first encounter between sitting leaders of the two countries. Scepticism has been rampant about whether Kim is ready to abandon the hard-earned nuclear arsenal his country has defended and developed for decades as what it says is a necessary deterrent against U.S. invasion. The two neighbours expect to release a joint statement late on Friday - possibly called the Panmunjom Declaration - that could address denuclearisation and peace, and an improvement in relations, South Korean officials said. Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because the Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The latest summit has particular significance not least because of its venue: the Demilitarised Zone, a 160-mile (260-km) long, 2.5-mile (4-km) wide strip of land created in the 1953 armistice to serve as a buffer between the South and North. Both the Koreas have met only thrice.

North Korean leader crosses southern border; Kim, Moon head for historic summit at DMZ

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/a-new-history-starts-now-as-leaders-of-two-koreas-begin-summit-133112">wrapped up the first round of talks</a> a short while ago. Both the leaders will meet later in the afternoon.&nbsp;

The significance of the Peace House, a three-storeyed building&nbsp;located just across the demilitarised zone on the South Korean side of Panmunjom truce village, increased manifold today as the historic summit between the heads of two Korean nations took place at the location.&nbsp;

The Peace House is a spot where many bilateral talks and other political meetings took place earlier including the talks between North and South Korea held in January this year to ease the military tensions.

The room where the two leaders met underwent a dramatic makeover. The regular rectangular table was replaced with an oval-shaped one to encourage more candid engagement between the leaders.&nbsp;

According to reports, the roundtable, around which Kim Jon-Un and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in were seated, was meticulously and specially constructed to live up to the grand scale of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/korea-summit-south-koreas-moon-arrives-in-dmz--133086">the historic event</a>.&nbsp;

One of the most interesting facts about the table it that its diameter was kept at 2.018 meters to mark the year (2018) in which the historic Korean summit took place.

While the chairs were made of pure walnut wood, the table was decorated with peonies and daisies symbolising a warm welcome for the leaders and peace.

After entering the Peace House for the inter-Korean summit, Kim Jong Un wrote in the guest book "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history," Kim dated and signed the entry.

The two are scheduled to plant a memorial tree at the border around 0430 GMT to kick off the second session of the summit.

The meeting, aimed at ending their decades-long conflict and easing tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme, comes weeks before Kim is due to meet US President Donald Trump.

 
&nbsp;

The room where the two leaders met also underwent a dramatic makeover

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in wrapped up the first round of talks a short while ago. Both the leaders will meet later in the afternoon. The significance of the Peace House, a three-storeyed building located just across the demilitarised zone on the South Korean side of Panmunjom truce village, increased manifold today as the historic summit between the heads of two Korean nations took place at the location. The Peace House is a spot where many bilateral talks and other political meetings took place earlier including the talks between North and South Korea held in January this year to ease the military tensions. The room where the two leaders met underwent a dramatic makeover. The regular rectangular table was replaced with an oval-shaped one to encourage more candid engagement between the leaders. According to reports, the roundtable, around which Kim Jon-Un and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in were seated, was meticulously and specially constructed to live up to the grand scale of the historic event. One of the most interesting facts about the table it that its diameter was kept at 2.018 meters to mark the year (2018) in which the historic Korean summit took place. While the chairs were made of pure walnut wood, the table was decorated with peonies and daisies symbolising a warm welcome for the leaders and peace. After entering the Peace House for the inter-Korean summit, Kim Jong Un wrote in the guest book "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history," Kim dated and signed the entry. The two are scheduled to plant a memorial tree at the border around 0430 GMT to kick off the second session of the summit. The meeting, aimed at ending their decades-long conflict and easing tensions over the North's nuclear weapons programme, comes weeks before Kim is due to meet US President Donald Trump.

Meticulously constructed roundtable that was made especially for Korean summit

When the two Korean leaders met earlier today, ahead of the historic summit, they were all smiles and niceties. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in were spotted holding hands at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between the countries on Friday.

As Kim crossed the DMZ line, he became the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War. Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line at 9:30 am (Korea&nbsp;time).&nbsp;

The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone.

Kim stopped to sign a guest book in the South's Peace House before the two leaders met for a private discussion.

After entering the Peace House for the inter-Korean summit, Kim Jong Un wrote in the guest book "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history," Kim dated and signed the entry.

A picture of Kim's message was posted by Moon's office.

Moon and Kim are expected to talk denuclearisation and exchanges between the Koreas and also will plant a memorial tree at the border truce village of Panmunjom.

The United States is hopeful talks between Kim and Moon will make progress on achieving peace and prosperity, the White House said in a statement as the two men began their summit.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A picture of Kim's message was posted by Moon's office

When the two Korean leaders met earlier today, ahead of the historic summit, they were all smiles and niceties. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in were spotted holding hands at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between the countries on Friday. As Kim crossed the DMZ line, he became the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War. Moon greeted Kim at the military demarcation line at 9:30 am (Korea time). The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone. Kim stopped to sign a guest book in the South's Peace House before the two leaders met for a private discussion. After entering the Peace House for the inter-Korean summit, Kim Jong Un wrote in the guest book "A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history," Kim dated and signed the entry. A picture of Kim's message was posted by Moon's office. Moon and Kim are expected to talk denuclearisation and exchanges between the Koreas and also will plant a memorial tree at the border truce village of Panmunjom. The United States is hopeful talks between Kim and Moon will make progress on achieving peace and prosperity, the White House said in a statement as the two men began their summit. (With inputs from Reuters)

'An age of peace, from the starting point of history,' Kim writes in guestbook

North Korea has expressed its commitment to "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula and is not seeking conditions, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday, as the United States vowed to maintain "maximum pressure" on Pyongyang.

Moon said big-picture agreements about denuclearisation, establishing a peace regime and normalisation of relations between the two Koreas and the United States should not be difficult to reach through summits between the North and South, and between the North and the United States.

"I don't think denuclearisation has different meanings for South and North Korea. The North is expressing a will for a complete denuclearization," Moon said during a lunch with chief executives of Korean media companies.&nbsp;

"They have not attached any conditions that the US&nbsp;cannot accept, such as the withdrawal of American troops from South Korea. All they are talking about is the end of hostile policies against North Korea, followed by a guarantee of security."

North Korea has defended its nuclear and missile programmes, which it pursues in defiance of UN&nbsp;Security Council resolutions, as a necessary deterrent against perceived US&nbsp;hostility. The United States stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has said over the years that it could consider giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States removed its troops from South Korea and withdrew its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan.

South Korea announced on Wednesday that it is considering how to change a decades-old armistice with North Korea into a peace agreement as it prepares for the North-South summit this month.&nbsp;

Reclusive North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.&nbsp;

Moon said he saw the possibility of a peace agreement, or even international aid for the North's economy, if it denuclearises.&nbsp;

But he also said the inter-Korean summit had "a lot of constraints", in that the two Koreas could not make progress separate from the North Korea-United States summit, and could not reach an agreement that transcends international sanctions.

"So first, the South-North Korean summit must make a good beginning, and the dialogue between the two Koreas likely must continue after we see the results of the North Korea-United States summit," Moon said.

US&nbsp;CIA Director Mike Pompeo visited North Korea last week and met leader Kim Jong Un with whom he formed a "good relationship", US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, ahead of a summit planned for May or June.

Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the summit would be successful, but warned he would call it off if he did not think it would produce results.

Trump told a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that his campaign of "maximum pressure" on North Korea would continue until Pyongyang gave up its nuclear weapons.

"The United States remains committed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearsisation of North Korea," US&nbsp;Disarmament Ambassador Robert Wood told a news conference in Geneva on Thursday ahead of a two-week conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"In terms of the pressure campaign, things we are very interested in are maintaining the pressure, meaning enforcing sanctions, ensuring that the North is not able to get access to funds that help further his nuclear and ballistic missile programmes."

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing in Beijing that China supported ending the state of war on the Korean peninsula.

"China supports ending the war state on the peninsula at an early date," she said. "As a party involved in the peninsula issue, China is willing to play an active role."

Ahead of next week's summit, Seoul and Pyongyang will also complete the instalment of a telephone hotline between the two leaders on Friday, directly connecting the South's presidential Blue House and the North's State Affairs Commission, the South's presidential spokesman said.&nbsp;

Six top South Korean officials will accompany Moon to the summit, including his chief of staff, spy chief, national security adviser and unification, defence and foreign ministers, the spokesman said.

North Korea meanwhile will hold a plenary meeting of its ruling party's central committee on Friday, state media KCNA said on Thursday.&nbsp;

The meeting was convened to discuss and decide "policy issues of a new stage" to meet the demands of the current "important historic period", KCNA said.&nbsp;

Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the summit would be successful, but warned he would call it off if he did not think it would produce results

North Korea has expressed its commitment to "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula and is not seeking conditions, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday, as the United States vowed to maintain "maximum pressure" on Pyongyang. Moon said big-picture agreements about denuclearisation, establishing a peace regime and normalisation of relations between the two Koreas and the United States should not be difficult to reach through summits between the North and South, and between the North and the United States. "I don't think denuclearisation has different meanings for South and North Korea. The North is expressing a will for a complete denuclearization," Moon said during a lunch with chief executives of Korean media companies. "They have not attached any conditions that the US cannot accept, such as the withdrawal of American troops from South Korea. All they are talking about is the end of hostile policies against North Korea, followed by a guarantee of security." North Korea has defended its nuclear and missile programmes, which it pursues in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, as a necessary deterrent against perceived US hostility. The United States stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea has said over the years that it could consider giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States removed its troops from South Korea and withdrew its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan. South Korea announced on Wednesday that it is considering how to change a decades-old armistice with North Korea into a peace agreement as it prepares for the North-South summit this month. Reclusive North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Moon said he saw the possibility of a peace agreement, or even international aid for the North's economy, if it denuclearises. But he also said the inter-Korean summit had "a lot of constraints", in that the two Koreas could not make progress separate from the North Korea-United States summit, and could not reach an agreement that transcends international sanctions. "So first, the South-North Korean summit must make a good beginning, and the dialogue between the two Koreas likely must continue after we see the results of the North Korea-United States summit," Moon said. US CIA Director Mike Pompeo visited North Korea last week and met leader Kim Jong Un with whom he formed a "good relationship", US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, ahead of a summit planned for May or June. Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the summit would be successful, but warned he would call it off if he did not think it would produce results. Trump told a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that his campaign of "maximum pressure" on North Korea would continue until Pyongyang gave up its nuclear weapons. "The United States remains committed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearsisation of North Korea," US Disarmament Ambassador Robert Wood told a news conference in Geneva on Thursday ahead of a two-week conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. "In terms of the pressure campaign, things we are very interested in are maintaining the pressure, meaning enforcing sanctions, ensuring that the North is not able to get access to funds that help further his nuclear and ballistic missile programmes." China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing in Beijing that China supported ending the state of war on the Korean peninsula. "China supports ending the war state on the peninsula at an early date," she said. "As a party involved in the peninsula issue, China is willing to play an active role." Ahead of next week's summit, Seoul and Pyongyang will also complete the instalment of a telephone hotline between the two leaders on Friday, directly connecting the South's presidential Blue House and the North's State Affairs Commission, the South's presidential spokesman said. Six top South Korean officials will accompany Moon to the summit, including his chief of staff, spy chief, national security adviser and unification, defence and foreign ministers, the spokesman said. North Korea meanwhile will hold a plenary meeting of its ruling party's central committee on Friday, state media KCNA said on Thursday. The meeting was convened to discuss and decide "policy issues of a new stage" to meet the demands of the current "important historic period", KCNA said.

North Korea seeks 'complete denuclearisation', US vows continued pressure

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday sanctions on North Korea will not be eased for the sake of a summit between the two sides as Chinese state media repeated Beijing&#39;s line that talks are the only way to end the nuclear standoff.

South Korean officials met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday in the first such encounter of its kind and said he had expressed his willingness to denuclearise if his country&#39;s security is assured.

And U.S. President Donald Trump said North Korea seems &quot;sincere&quot; in its apparent willingness to suspend nuclear tests if it holds denuclearisation talks with the United States.

Tensions rose to the highest level in years over North Korea&rsquo;s nuclear and missile programmes, which it pursues in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, with shrill, bellicose rhetoric coming from both Kim Jong Un and Trump.

North Korea has boasted of its plans to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the mainland United States. But fears of all-out war eased last month, coinciding with North Korea&#39;s participation in the Winter Olympics in the South.

&quot;From looking at the news or Twitter, I believe President Trump is positive about the results of the North Korea visit (by South Korean officials),&quot; Moon told political party leaders.

&quot;However, as this is just the beginning, I believe we are not at a situation yet where we can be optimistic.&quot;

Moon added he had no plans for an easing of sanctions.

&quot;Just because there are talks ongoing between North and South Korea doesn&#39;t mean international sanctions can be eased,&quot; said Moon. &quot;There cannot be an arbitrary easing of sanctions; we do not wish to do that and I tell you now it is impossible.&quot;

South Korea&#39;s goal was the denuclearisation of North Korea, nothing less, said Moon in comments distributed by the Blue House.

&quot;We cannot have things like the prevention of nuclear proliferation or a moratorium as a final goal,&quot; said Moon.

North and South Korea are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North defends its weapons programmes as necessary to counter U.S. aggression. The South hosts 28,500 U.S. troops, a legacy of the war.

North and South next month will have the first meeting between their leaders since 2007 at the border village of Panmunjom, Chung Eui-yong, head of the South Korean delegation, said on Tuesday.

Leaders around the world have also met the apparent breakthrough with guarded optimism, wary of repeating past negotiations that failed to prevent Pyongyang from developing nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

On-again off-again &quot;six-party&quot; talks, grouping the two Koreas, Japan, Russia and the United States and hosted by China, ended in failure in 2009, with North Korea criticising U.S. aggression.

South Korean officials who met the North Korean leader will leave for Washington on Thursday. Chung said he had a verbal message from Kim Jong Un that he will relay to U.S. officials but it was unclear whether he would meet Trump.

After returning from the United States, Chung will visit China and Russia, while Suh Hoon, the head of South Korea&#39;s intelligence agency, will head to Japan to brief officials.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office the United States had &quot;come a long way, at least rhetorically&quot; with North Korea and &quot;statements coming out of South Korea and North Korea have been very positive&quot;.

Asked if he had any preconditions for talks, Trump said: &quot;I don&#39;t want to talk about it. We&#39;re going to see what happens.&quot;

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the United States would continue to apply &quot;maximum pressure&quot; on North Korea and that all options were &quot;on the table&quot; until Washington sees evidence Pyongyang is taking steps towards denuclearisation.

Keeping up the pressure, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it had determined Pyongyang used the chemical warfare agent VX to assassinate Kim Jong Un&#39;s half-brother in Malaysia in 2017 and had imposed sanctions in response. This information had already come out in court in Malaysia.

Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times published an editorial saying the Korean nuclear issue cannot be solved without China, Russia and the U.N. Security Council.

&ldquo;The reality is that North Korea now has an intercontinental ballistic missile that can allegedly hit targets in the U.S.,&rdquo; the paper wrote. &ldquo;No one can intimidate anyone. Negotiation is the only way out.&quot;

Markets reacted positively to the prospect of talks and a lowering in geopolitical tensions.

Shares in South Korean companies with exposure to North Korea rallied on signs of a thaw in relations, while companies in the defence market saw their shares dip.

South Korean officials met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday in the first such encounter of its kind and said he had expressed his willingness to denuclearise if his country's security is assured

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday sanctions on North Korea will not be eased for the sake of a summit between the two sides as Chinese state media repeated Beijing's line that talks are the only way to end the nuclear standoff. South Korean officials met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday in the first such encounter of its kind and said he had expressed his willingness to denuclearise if his country's security is assured. And U.S. President Donald Trump said North Korea seems "sincere" in its apparent willingness to suspend nuclear tests if it holds denuclearisation talks with the United States. Tensions rose to the highest level in years over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, which it pursues in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, with shrill, bellicose rhetoric coming from both Kim Jong Un and Trump. North Korea has boasted of its plans to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the mainland United States. But fears of all-out war eased last month, coinciding with North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympics in the South. "From looking at the news or Twitter, I believe President Trump is positive about the results of the North Korea visit (by South Korean officials)," Moon told political party leaders. "However, as this is just the beginning, I believe we are not at a situation yet where we can be optimistic." Moon added he had no plans for an easing of sanctions. "Just because there are talks ongoing between North and South Korea doesn't mean international sanctions can be eased," said Moon. "There cannot be an arbitrary easing of sanctions; we do not wish to do that and I tell you now it is impossible." South Korea's goal was the denuclearisation of North Korea, nothing less, said Moon in comments distributed by the Blue House. "We cannot have things like the prevention of nuclear proliferation or a moratorium as a final goal," said Moon. North and South Korea are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North defends its weapons programmes as necessary to counter U.S. aggression. The South hosts 28,500 U.S. troops, a legacy of the war. North and South next month will have the first meeting between their leaders since 2007 at the border village of Panmunjom, Chung Eui-yong, head of the South Korean delegation, said on Tuesday. Leaders around the world have also met the apparent breakthrough with guarded optimism, wary of repeating past negotiations that failed to prevent Pyongyang from developing nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles. On-again off-again "six-party" talks, grouping the two Koreas, Japan, Russia and the United States and hosted by China, ended in failure in 2009, with North Korea criticising U.S. aggression. South Korean officials who met the North Korean leader will leave for Washington on Thursday. Chung said he had a verbal message from Kim Jong Un that he will relay to U.S. officials but it was unclear whether he would meet Trump. After returning from the United States, Chung will visit China and Russia, while Suh Hoon, the head of South Korea's intelligence agency, will head to Japan to brief officials. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office the United States had "come a long way, at least rhetorically" with North Korea and "statements coming out of South Korea and North Korea have been very positive". Asked if he had any preconditions for talks, Trump said: "I don't want to talk about it. We're going to see what happens." U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the United States would continue to apply "maximum pressure" on North Korea and that all options were "on the table" until Washington sees evidence Pyongyang is taking steps towards denuclearisation. Keeping up the pressure, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it had determined Pyongyang used the chemical warfare agent VX to assassinate Kim Jong Un's half-brother in Malaysia in 2017 and had imposed sanctions in response. This information had already come out in court in Malaysia. Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times published an editorial saying the Korean nuclear issue cannot be solved without China, Russia and the U.N. Security Council. “The reality is that North Korea now has an intercontinental ballistic missile that can allegedly hit targets in the U.S.,” the paper wrote. “No one can intimidate anyone. Negotiation is the only way out." Markets reacted positively to the prospect of talks and a lowering in geopolitical tensions. Shares in South Korean companies with exposure to North Korea rallied on signs of a thaw in relations, while companies in the defence market saw their shares dip.

South Korea's Moon says sanctions on North to stay, too early to be optimistic

The moon will get its first mobile phone network next year, enabling high-definition streaming from the lunar landscape back to earth, part of a project to back the first privately funded moon mission. 
&nbsp; 
Vodafone Germany, network equipment maker Nokia and carmaker Audi said on Tuesday they were working together to support the mission, 50 years after the first NASA astronauts walked on the moon. 
&nbsp; 
Vodafone said it had appointed Nokia as its technology partner to develop a space-grade network which would be a small piece of hardware weighing less than a bag of sugar. 
&nbsp; 
The companies are working with Berlin-based company PTScientists on the project, with a launch scheduled in 2019 from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Vodafone said. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;This project involves a radically innovative approach to the development of mobile network infrastructure,&rdquo; Vodafone Germany Chief Executive Hannes Ametsreiter said. 
&nbsp; 
One executive involved said the decision to build a 4G network rather a state-of-the-art 5G network was taken because the next generation networks remain in the testing and trial stage and are not stable enough to ensure they would work from the lunar surface.

Vodafone said it had appointed Nokia as its technology partner to develop a space-grade network which would be a small piece of hardware weighing less than a bag of sugar

The moon will get its first mobile phone network next year, enabling high-definition streaming from the lunar landscape back to earth, part of a project to back the first privately funded moon mission. Vodafone Germany, network equipment maker Nokia and carmaker Audi said on Tuesday they were working together to support the mission, 50 years after the first NASA astronauts walked on the moon. Vodafone said it had appointed Nokia as its technology partner to develop a space-grade network which would be a small piece of hardware weighing less than a bag of sugar. The companies are working with Berlin-based company PTScientists on the project, with a launch scheduled in 2019 from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Vodafone said. “This project involves a radically innovative approach to the development of mobile network infrastructure,” Vodafone Germany Chief Executive Hannes Ametsreiter said. One executive involved said the decision to build a 4G network rather a state-of-the-art 5G network was taken because the next generation networks remain in the testing and trial stage and are not stable enough to ensure they would work from the lunar surface.

Moon to get its first mobile phone network in 2019

A day after officials from both the Koreas met at the Peace House of Panmunjom truce village, South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, announced his plan to hold a summit with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un.&nbsp;

He was willing to hold a summit &quot;at any time&quot;, he said, as long as it was &quot;under the right conditions&quot;.

&quot;It is only the beginning,&quot; Moon told a press conference Wednesday. &quot;Yesterday was the first step and I think we had a good start,&quot; Moon added.&nbsp;

Moon expressed his desire to discuss denuclearisation with North Korea.&nbsp;

&quot;But it cannot be a meeting for meeting&#39;s sake. To hold a summit, the right conditions must be created and certain outcomes must be guaranteed,&quot; he noted.

Earlier on Tuesday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-hails-korea-talks-despite-norths-rejection-of-denuclearisation-29057">US President Donald Trump hailed the &#39;Korea meet</a>&#39; describing it as an event that may resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.&nbsp;

The Pyongyang regime has also decided to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-to-attend-olympics-in-rival-south-29052">send its athletes to the Winter Olympics</a> in the South.

The South Korean President has been lobbying to bring its Northern counterpart to discuss banned weapons programmes.&nbsp;

Moon insisted that his regime does not differ in opinion with the US and that they &quot;shared an understanding about security, were working together and were both threatened by the North&#39;s nuclear weapons and missiles.&quot;

The United States, on the other hand, has called for the North Korean regime to halt its nuclear testing to facilitate any ties with the Trump administration.&nbsp;

Moon also noted that &quot;stronger sanctions and pressures (on North Korea) could further heighten tensions and lead to accidental armed conflicts&quot;. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

He (Kim Jong-Un) was willing to hold a summit 'at any time', Moon said

A day after officials from both the Koreas met at the Peace House of Panmunjom truce village, South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, announced his plan to hold a summit with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un. He was willing to hold a summit "at any time", he said, as long as it was "under the right conditions". "It is only the beginning," Moon told a press conference Wednesday. "Yesterday was the first step and I think we had a good start," Moon added. Moon expressed his desire to discuss denuclearisation with North Korea. "But it cannot be a meeting for meeting's sake. To hold a summit, the right conditions must be created and certain outcomes must be guaranteed," he noted. Earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump hailed the 'Korea meet' describing it as an event that may resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis. The Pyongyang regime has also decided to send its athletes to the Winter Olympics in the South. The South Korean President has been lobbying to bring its Northern counterpart to discuss banned weapons programmes. Moon insisted that his regime does not differ in opinion with the US and that they "shared an understanding about security, were working together and were both threatened by the North's nuclear weapons and missiles." The United States, on the other hand, has called for the North Korean regime to halt its nuclear testing to facilitate any ties with the Trump administration. Moon also noted that "stronger sanctions and pressures (on North Korea) could further heighten tensions and lead to accidental armed conflicts". (With inputs from AFP)

South Korean President willing to hold summit with North Korea's Kim

Authors: Marc Norman and Penelope King*

No human has been to the Moon since 1972 and only 12 people have ever done it &ndash; all of them American men.

But that list could soon be getting a lot longer.

Why the Moon? Haven&rsquo;t we already been there, done that? Well, yes. But now there are new reasons motivating countries to reach the Moon.

Human and other missions to the Moon are planned by India, China and Russia, as well as Japan and Europe. South Korea and North Korea are also looking towards the Moon.

Even NASA seems to be getting its mojo back, recently announcing a revamped vision for a Deep Space Gateway that includes a port of call at the Moon en route to Mars and beyond. Elon Musk has also called for a Moon base.

Private companies are vying for a slice of the Moon pie, lured by Google&rsquo;s multi-million dollar XPRIZE that challenges entrants to develop low-cost methods for robotic space exploration.

A space race of sorts seems to back on in earnest, for five reasons.

Reason 1: A vision for innovation

In the past and still now, one reason that space attracts interest and investment is that humans seem driven to explore and push the limits, physically and viscerally.

But space also acts as a unifying force, providing a clear vision that pushes technology and innovation forwards.

After several decades of relative neglect, space exploration is again seen as driving technology, inspiring engagement with science and engineering, and creating national pride. The program at the recent International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide captured that sentiment.

These motivators are seen as especially important by emerging economies like India, China and Russia, which means that more established players like Europe and the USA have to work harder keep up.

The recent announcement that Australia will have a space agency is expected to create new opportunities for this country.

Reason 2: Economic and geopolitical advantages

Paradoxically, exploration of the Moon builds both international cooperation and competition.

Even if they don&rsquo;t have their own space program, countries can develop instruments to fly on spacecraft that are built and launched by other nations. For example, India&rsquo;s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft carried instruments from Sweden, Germany, UK, Bulgaria, and the US to the Moon. This helps mesh economies and provides strong motivation to keep the peace.

Economic and geopolitical competition occurs because the Moon is seen as an unclaimed territory. No country is allowed to own the Moon, at least according to a 1967 UN Treaty that has agreement from over 100 countries.

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The Long March 3C rocket carrying an experimental Moon orbiter launches from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China&rsquo;s Sichuan province, 24 October 2014. (Others)
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Nonetheless, there are incentives to place a claim on the Moon. For example, helium-3 (an isotope of the element helium) is abundant on the Moon but rare on Earth. It is a potential fuel for nuclear fusion, a potentially unlimited and non-polluting source of energy. China, in particular, has stated a strong interest in lunar helium-3.

The situation appears similar to that of Antarctica in the 1950s, when the continent was subdivided by the 12 countries that had active scientific programs in the region at the time. Sending a spacecraft to the Moon &ndash; even if it fails prematurely like India&rsquo;s Chandrayaan-1 &ndash; may provide a compelling case for recognition if the Moon were ever to be carved up into zones of research and economic development.

Russia, China, Japan, Europe and the USA landed (or crashed) spacecraft on the Moon in the decades after Apollo.

Reason 3: An easy target

Growing space agencies need successful missions, and the Moon is a tempting target. Radio communication over the relatively short distance between the Earth and Moon (384,400 km) is almost instantaneous (1-2 sec). Between Earth and Mars, two-way communication times can be the better part of an hour.

The low gravity and lack of an atmosphere on the Moon also simplifies operations for orbiters and landers.

The Russian Luna missions showed that it is technically feasible to apply robotics to bring samples from the Moon to Earth. China aims to launch a robotic mission to the Moon in the next 1-2 years to fetch samples. If successful, these will be the first samples brought back from the Moon since Luna 24 in 1976.

Reason 4: New discoveries

Despite decades of observations, each new mission to the Moon produces new discoveries.

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Indian spacecraft lifting off carrying India&rsquo;s first lunar probe Chandrayaan-1 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, 22 October 2008. (Others)
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Japan&rsquo;s Selene spacecraft and India&rsquo;s Chandrayaan-1 mission discovered new distributions of minerals on the Moon and probed regions of potential resources.

An exciting discovery has been the presence of water ice and other organic compounds in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon that never see sunlight. If present in sufficient quantities, water ice on the Moon could be used as a resource for generating fuel or supporting human habitation. This would be a major advantage for future missions considering the cost of carrying water from the Earth to the Moon

Although immense engineering advances are needed to recover these resources from environments as cold as -250?, such challenges drive new technologies.

Reason 5: We learn about Earth

Aside from the practicalities, exploration of the Moon has revealed completely new ideas about the origin of the Solar system.

Prior to the Apollo missions, planets were thought to form over long periods of time by the slow agglomeration of dusty particles. Moon rocks returned to Earth by the Apollo missions changed that idea literally overnight. We now know that gigantic collisions between planets were common, and one such collision of a Mars-size planet with the Earth probably formed the Moon (animation).

We&rsquo;ve also learned that the dark circular features on the Moon are scars of impacting asteroids stirred up by shifts in the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn.

Future studies of the Moon will undoubtedly lead to even deeper insights into the origin of the Earth, our home planet.

Space exploration is not only about &ldquo;out there&rdquo;. Travel to the Moon creates jobs, technical innovations and new discoveries that improve the lives of all of us &ldquo;down here&rdquo;.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-reasons-india-china-and-other-nations-plan-to-travel-to-the-moon-87589" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

Image Credit: ISRO, NASA, AAP

Penelope King is an Associate Professor at Australian National University

(Disclaimer: Both authors write here in a personal capacity).

No human has been to the moon since 1972. But India, China and Russia would like to change that, and soon

Authors: Marc Norman and Penelope King* No human has been to the Moon since 1972 and only 12 people have ever done it – all of them American men. But that list could soon be getting a lot longer. Why the Moon? Haven’t we already been there, done that? Well, yes. But now there are new reasons motivating countries to reach the Moon. Human and other missions to the Moon are planned by India, China and Russia, as well as Japan and Europe. South Korea and North Korea are also looking towards the Moon. Even NASA seems to be getting its mojo back, recently announcing a revamped vision for a Deep Space Gateway that includes a port of call at the Moon en route to Mars and beyond. Elon Musk has also called for a Moon base. Private companies are vying for a slice of the Moon pie, lured by Google’s multi-million dollar XPRIZE that challenges entrants to develop low-cost methods for robotic space exploration. A space race of sorts seems to back on in earnest, for five reasons. Reason 1: A vision for innovation In the past and still now, one reason that space attracts interest and investment is that humans seem driven to explore and push the limits, physically and viscerally. But space also acts as a unifying force, providing a clear vision that pushes technology and innovation forwards. After several decades of relative neglect, space exploration is again seen as driving technology, inspiring engagement with science and engineering, and creating national pride. The program at the recent International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide captured that sentiment. These motivators are seen as especially important by emerging economies like India, China and Russia, which means that more established players like Europe and the USA have to work harder keep up. The recent announcement that Australia will have a space agency is expected to create new opportunities for this country. Reason 2: Economic and geopolitical advantages Paradoxically, exploration of the Moon builds both international cooperation and competition. Even if they don’t have their own space program, countries can develop instruments to fly on spacecraft that are built and launched by other nations. For example, India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft carried instruments from Sweden, Germany, UK, Bulgaria, and the US to the Moon. This helps mesh economies and provides strong motivation to keep the peace. Economic and geopolitical competition occurs because the Moon is seen as an unclaimed territory. No country is allowed to own the Moon, at least according to a 1967 UN Treaty that has agreement from over 100 countries. The Long March 3C rocket carrying an experimental Moon orbiter launches from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan province, 24 October 2014. (Others) × Nonetheless, there are incentives to place a claim on the Moon. For example, helium-3 (an isotope of the element helium) is abundant on the Moon but rare on Earth. It is a potential fuel for nuclear fusion, a potentially unlimited and non-polluting source of energy. China, in particular, has stated a strong interest in lunar helium-3. The situation appears similar to that of Antarctica in the 1950s, when the continent was subdivided by the 12 countries that had active scientific programs in the region at the time. Sending a spacecraft to the Moon – even if it fails prematurely like India’s Chandrayaan-1 – may provide a compelling case for recognition if the Moon were ever to be carved up into zones of research and economic development. Russia, China, Japan, Europe and the USA landed (or crashed) spacecraft on the Moon in the decades after Apollo. Reason 3: An easy target Growing space agencies need successful missions, and the Moon is a tempting target. Radio communication over the relatively short distance between the Earth and Moon (384,400 km) is almost instantaneous (1-2 sec). Between Earth and Mars, two-way communication times can be the better part of an hour. The low gravity and lack of an atmosphere on the Moon also simplifies operations for orbiters and landers. The Russian Luna missions showed that it is technically feasible to apply robotics to bring samples from the Moon to Earth. China aims to launch a robotic mission to the Moon in the next 1-2 years to fetch samples. If successful, these will be the first samples brought back from the Moon since Luna 24 in 1976. Reason 4: New discoveries Despite decades of observations, each new mission to the Moon produces new discoveries. Indian spacecraft lifting off carrying India’s first lunar probe Chandrayaan-1 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, 22 October 2008. (Others) × Japan’s Selene spacecraft and India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission discovered new distributions of minerals on the Moon and probed regions of potential resources. An exciting discovery has been the presence of water ice and other organic compounds in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon that never see sunlight. If present in sufficient quantities, water ice on the Moon could be used as a resource for generating fuel or supporting human habitation. This would be a major advantage for future missions considering the cost of carrying water from the Earth to the Moon Although immense engineering advances are needed to recover these resources from environments as cold as -250?, such challenges drive new technologies. Reason 5: We learn about Earth Aside from the practicalities, exploration of the Moon has revealed completely new ideas about the origin of the Solar system. Prior to the Apollo missions, planets were thought to form over long periods of time by the slow agglomeration of dusty particles. Moon rocks returned to Earth by the Apollo missions changed that idea literally overnight. We now know that gigantic collisions between planets were common, and one such collision of a Mars-size planet with the Earth probably formed the Moon (animation). We’ve also learned that the dark circular features on the Moon are scars of impacting asteroids stirred up by shifts in the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. Future studies of the Moon will undoubtedly lead to even deeper insights into the origin of the Earth, our home planet. Space exploration is not only about “out there”. Travel to the Moon creates jobs, technical innovations and new discoveries that improve the lives of all of us “down here”. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Image Credit: ISRO, NASA, AAP Penelope King is an Associate Professor at Australian National University (Disclaimer: Both authors write here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Why India & China plan to travel to the Moon

Everyone knows that you should not look at the sun!

Not with your naked eye, not with sunglasses and certainly not with binoculars or with a telescope. Our sun might be just an ordinary star, but it&rsquo;s extremely close to us &mdash; about 269,000 times closer than the <a href="https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/features/cosmic/nearest_star_info.html">next nearest star</a>. This makes the sun very, very bright.

Everyone knows that you should not look at the sun. But what about during an eclipse? This situation will confront us <a href="http://eclipse.aas.org">on August 21</a>, when the entirety of North America, along with parts of South America, Africa, Europe and eastern Russia, will experience a solar eclipse.

For the vast majority of viewers, including anyone in any part of Canada, the eclipse will be a <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/partial-solar-eclipse.html">partial one</a>. This means that the moon will block out part of the face of the sun but leave the rest of it unchanged.

<figure class="align-right zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/181475/area14mp/file-20170808-26048-o6es2t.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/181475/width237/file-20170808-26048-o6es2t.jpg" /></a>

<figcaption>
NASA&rsquo;s Solar Dynamics Observatory saw a partial solar eclipse in space when it caught the moon passing in front of the sun on May 25, 2017.

If you&rsquo;re under <a href="https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEanimate/SEanimate2001/SE2017Aug21T.GIF">the path of the partial eclipse</a> &mdash; even somewhere where the sun is 99 per cent concealed &mdash; you still should not look at the sun with the unaided eye. Even one-hundredth of the sun&rsquo;s normal brightness is enough to permanently damage your eyesight.
</figcaption>
</figure>

Instead, you can safely watch the action through special <a href="https://www.space.com/36941-solar-eclipse-eye-protection-guide.html">eclipse glasses</a> (make sure they&rsquo;re <a href="https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification">ISO certified and from a reliable supplier</a>), through a simple <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/">home-made pinhole camera</a> or even by looking at the shadows cast by <a href="https://petapixel.com/2012/05/21/crescent-shaped-projections-through-tree-leaves-during-the-solar-eclipse/">tree leaves</a> or by a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/20/solar-eclipse-colander-_n_6908140.html">kitchen colander</a>.

For some lucky viewers in parts of <a href="http://eclipse2017.org/blog/2017/01/15/states-the-total-eclipse-touches/">14 U.S. states</a>, a total solar eclipse awaits on August 21. This will be far more exciting than a mere partial eclipse. For maybe as long as two minutes, depending on your exact location, the sun will disappear completely behind the moon. The temperature will drop, the stars will come out, and the birds will think evening has come.

If you are under the path of the total eclipse, you&rsquo;ll likely have more than an hour of partial eclipse both before and after the exciting moment of totality. During the partial phases, the usual rules apply: Wear your eclipse glasses or use your colander, but don&rsquo;t look at the sun unaided!

However, when the time finally arrives and when the sky goes dark, it will finally be safe to look. Take off your glasses, stare at the sun with your unaided eyes, and soak up a remarkable cosmic moment.

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/181476/width754/file-20170808-26004-1qtloh3.jpg" />
<figcaption>
The Hinode satellite observed the sun&rsquo;s corona during a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009.

During the total eclipse, it is completely safe to look at the sun without any equipment at all. And what a sight it will be.
</figcaption>
</figure>

Revealed, just for a moment, will be <a href="https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/what-to-see-during-eclipse#totality">the sun&rsquo;s glorious corona</a>, the faint <a href="https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/solar-corona">tendrils of ultra-hot gas</a> that stream off the sun&rsquo;s blazing surface. This is not to be missed. If you leave your eclipse glasses on, you won&rsquo;t see anything.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/81067/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />After a minute or two, the total eclipse will be over, the skies will lighten and special safety precautions must once again be taken. But those who experience totality will be left with memories of an otherwise hidden view of the Universe, a brief glimpse of our life-giving sun unlike any other.

&nbsp;

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-safely-watch-an-eclipse-advice-from-an-astronomer-81067">original article</a>.

&nbsp;

Even one-hundredth of the sun?s normal brightness is enough to permanently damage your eyesight, says astronomer Gaensler.

Everyone knows that you should not look at the sun! Not with your naked eye, not with sunglasses and certainly not with binoculars or with a telescope. Our sun might be just an ordinary star, but it’s extremely close to us — about 269,000 times closer than the next nearest star. This makes the sun very, very bright. Everyone knows that you should not look at the sun. But what about during an eclipse? This situation will confront us on August 21, when the entirety of North America, along with parts of South America, Africa, Europe and eastern Russia, will experience a solar eclipse. For the vast majority of viewers, including anyone in any part of Canada, the eclipse will be a partial one. This means that the moon will block out part of the face of the sun but leave the rest of it unchanged. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory saw a partial solar eclipse in space when it caught the moon passing in front of the sun on May 25, 2017. If you’re under the path of the partial eclipse — even somewhere where the sun is 99 per cent concealed — you still should not look at the sun with the unaided eye. Even one-hundredth of the sun’s normal brightness is enough to permanently damage your eyesight. Instead, you can safely watch the action through special eclipse glasses (make sure they’re ISO certified and from a reliable supplier), through a simple home-made pinhole camera or even by looking at the shadows cast by tree leaves or by a kitchen colander. For some lucky viewers in parts of 14 U.S. states, a total solar eclipse awaits on August 21. This will be far more exciting than a mere partial eclipse. For maybe as long as two minutes, depending on your exact location, the sun will disappear completely behind the moon. The temperature will drop, the stars will come out, and the birds will think evening has come. If you are under the path of the total eclipse, you’ll likely have more than an hour of partial eclipse both before and after the exciting moment of totality. During the partial phases, the usual rules apply: Wear your eclipse glasses or use your colander, but don’t look at the sun unaided! However, when the time finally arrives and when the sky goes dark, it will finally be safe to look. Take off your glasses, stare at the sun with your unaided eyes, and soak up a remarkable cosmic moment. The Hinode satellite observed the sun’s corona during a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009. During the total eclipse, it is completely safe to look at the sun without any equipment at all. And what a sight it will be. Revealed, just for a moment, will be the sun’s glorious corona, the faint tendrils of ultra-hot gas that stream off the sun’s blazing surface. This is not to be missed. If you leave your eclipse glasses on, you won’t see anything. After a minute or two, the total eclipse will be over, the skies will lighten and special safety precautions must once again be taken. But those who experience totality will be left with memories of an otherwise hidden view of the Universe, a brief glimpse of our life-giving sun unlike any other. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

During the total eclipse, it is completely safe to look at the sun

US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Sunday agreed that North Korea &quot;poses a grave and growing direct threat&quot;, in a phone call one day after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a US-drafted resolution that significantly strengthened sanctions on North Korea, AFP reported.

&quot;The two leaders affirmed that North Korea poses a grave and growing direct threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, as well as to most countries around the world,&quot; AFP quoted the White House as saying.

&quot;The leaders committed to fully implement all relevant resolutions and to urge the international community to do so as well.&quot;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/17574">North Korea launches missile some experts say can hit </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/17574">US</a>

The resolution bans all exports of coal, iron and iron ore, lead and lead ore, as well as fish and seafood by the cash-starved state -- stripping North Korea of a third of its export earnings estimated at $3 billion per year.

The US began talks on a resolution with China a month ago after North Korea test fired its first ballistic missile.

(With inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

'The two leaders affirmed that North Korea poses a grave and growing direct threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, as well as to most countries around the world,' the White House said

US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Sunday agreed that North Korea "poses a grave and growing direct threat", in a phone call one day after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a US-drafted resolution that significantly strengthened sanctions on North Korea, AFP reported. "The two leaders affirmed that North Korea poses a grave and growing direct threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, as well as to most countries around the world," AFP quoted the White House as saying. "The leaders committed to fully implement all relevant resolutions and to urge the international community to do so as well." Also read: North Korea launches missile some experts say can hit US The resolution bans all exports of coal, iron and iron ore, lead and lead ore, as well as fish and seafood by the cash-starved state -- stripping North Korea of a third of its export earnings estimated at $3 billion per year. The US began talks on a resolution with China a month ago after North Korea test fired its first ballistic missile. (With inputs from AFP)

Trump, Moon agree North Korea poses 'growing direct threat': White House

Left-leaning former human rights lawyer Moon Jae-In won South Korea&#39;s presidential election by a landslide, an exit poll predicted when polls closed Tuesday.

Moon, of the Democratic Party, had 41.4 per cent support, according to the joint survey by three television stations. Conservative Hong Joon-Pyo was far behind on 23.3 percent, with centrist Ahn Cheol-Soo third on 21.8. 
 
(AFP)

Moon, of the Democratic Party, had 41.4%, according to the joint survey by three TV stations

Left-leaning former human rights lawyer Moon Jae-In won South Korea's presidential election by a landslide, an exit poll predicted when polls closed Tuesday. Moon, of the Democratic Party, had 41.4 per cent support, according to the joint survey by three television stations. Conservative Hong Joon-Pyo was far behind on 23.3 percent, with centrist Ahn Cheol-Soo third on 21.8. (AFP)

Moon Jae-in wins South Korea election by landslide: Exit poll

Sending tourists for a trip around the moon is the latest big idea launched by Elon Musk, a Silicon Valley star known for turning his passions into visionary enterprises.

Musk has become one of the United States&#39; best-known innovators. He was a founder of payments company PayPal, electric carmaker Tesla Motors and SpaceX, maker and launcher of rockets and spacecraft.

SpaceX recently announced that two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the Moon in what would mark the farthest humans have ever travelled to deep space since the 1970s.

In a sector where entrepreneurs often speak of &quot;moonshots,&quot; Musk is one of the biggest dreamers. The 45-year-old South Africa-born entrepreneur has channelled a dot-com fortune into a series of ambitious ventures.

Besides being the head of SpaceX and Tesla, Musk is the chairman of SolarCity, a solar panel installer recently bought by Tesla. He also operates his own foundation focusing on education, clean energy and child health.

And he drafted a paper detailing the feasibility of an ultra-fast &quot;Hyperloop&quot; rail transport system that would transport people at near supersonic speeds, then made it freely available to enterprises willing to pursue the project.

&#39;Doesn&#39;t sit around&#39;

&quot;He is a visionary who has some key passions which he pursues with vigour,&quot; Jackdaw Research chief analyst Jan Dawson said of Musk. &quot;He doesn&#39;t sit around and wait for people to do something about them; he goes out and does it himself.&quot;

Musk&#39;s penchant for rocketing after his passions may appear to spread him thin, but he has built a record of success. 
Musk appears strong on painting big ideas in broad strokes and then enlisting people skilled at tending to the nuts-and-bolts work needed to follow through, say observers.

&quot;He doesn&#39;t seem to be able to focus,&quot; analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group said. &quot;He just likes coming up with the ideas and is good at picking other people who can deal with the plumbing - that is why he is able to do a lot of stuff.&quot;

And while some may wonder whether hubris or realism reigns in Musk&#39;s moves, his businesses have gained value, with the jury still out on the wisdom of the Tesla acquisition of SolarCity.

&quot;He can certainly sell his ideas,&quot; Enderle said. &quot;The fact his businesses have held together so long indicates he is not a con man.&quot;

Fighting against evil

Musk more than a year ago took part in creating a nonprofit research company devoted to developing artificial intelligence that will help people and not hurt them. Musk found himself in the middle of a technology world controversy by holding firm that AI could turn on humanity and be its ruin instead of a salvation.

Technology giants including Google, Apple and Microsoft have been investing in making machines smarter, contending the goal is to improve lives. &quot;If we create some digital super-intelligence that exceeds us in every way by a lot, it is very important that it be benign,&quot; Musk said at a conference in California.

He reasoned that even a benign situation with ultra-intelligent AI would put people so far beneath the machine they would be &quot;like a house cat.&quot; &quot;I don&#39;t love the idea of being a house cat,&quot; Musk said, envisioning the creation of neural lacing that magnifies people&#39;s brain power by linking them directly to computing capabilities.

Living in a game

Some of his ideas have prompted questions about whether Musk is a visionary or mad scientist. He has raised eyebrows with a theory that the world as it is known may be a computer simulation.

&quot;I&#39;ve had so many simulation discussions it&#39;s crazy,&quot; Musk said while fielding a question on the topic at the conference. 
He maintained that &quot;the odds that we are in base reality is one in billions.&quot;

Musk lives in Los Angeles and holds US, Canadian and South African citizenship. He moved to Canada in his late teens and then to the United States, earning bachelor&#39;s degrees in physics and business from the University of Pennsylvania.

After graduating, Musk abandoned plans to pursue further studies at Stanford University and started Zip2, a company that made online publishing software for the media industry. He banked his first millions before the age of 30 when he sold Zip2 to US computer maker Compaq for more than $300 million in 1999.

Musk&#39;s next company, X.com, eventually merged with PayPal, the online payments firm bought by Internet auction giant eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. Forbes estimates Musk&#39;s current net worth at $13.4 billion.

(AFP)

Sending tourists for a trip around the moon is the latest big idea launched by Elon Musk

Sending tourists for a trip around the moon is the latest big idea launched by Elon Musk, a Silicon Valley star known for turning his passions into visionary enterprises. Musk has become one of the United States' best-known innovators. He was a founder of payments company PayPal, electric carmaker Tesla Motors and SpaceX, maker and launcher of rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX recently announced that two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the Moon in what would mark the farthest humans have ever travelled to deep space since the 1970s. In a sector where entrepreneurs often speak of "moonshots," Musk is one of the biggest dreamers. The 45-year-old South Africa-born entrepreneur has channelled a dot-com fortune into a series of ambitious ventures. Besides being the head of SpaceX and Tesla, Musk is the chairman of SolarCity, a solar panel installer recently bought by Tesla. He also operates his own foundation focusing on education, clean energy and child health. And he drafted a paper detailing the feasibility of an ultra-fast "Hyperloop" rail transport system that would transport people at near supersonic speeds, then made it freely available to enterprises willing to pursue the project. 'Doesn't sit around' "He is a visionary who has some key passions which he pursues with vigour," Jackdaw Research chief analyst Jan Dawson said of Musk. "He doesn't sit around and wait for people to do something about them; he goes out and does it himself." Musk's penchant for rocketing after his passions may appear to spread him thin, but he has built a record of success. Musk appears strong on painting big ideas in broad strokes and then enlisting people skilled at tending to the nuts-and-bolts work needed to follow through, say observers. "He doesn't seem to be able to focus," analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group said. "He just likes coming up with the ideas and is good at picking other people who can deal with the plumbing - that is why he is able to do a lot of stuff." And while some may wonder whether hubris or realism reigns in Musk's moves, his businesses have gained value, with the jury still out on the wisdom of the Tesla acquisition of SolarCity. "He can certainly sell his ideas," Enderle said. "The fact his businesses have held together so long indicates he is not a con man." Fighting against evil Musk more than a year ago took part in creating a nonprofit research company devoted to developing artificial intelligence that will help people and not hurt them. Musk found himself in the middle of a technology world controversy by holding firm that AI could turn on humanity and be its ruin instead of a salvation. Technology giants including Google, Apple and Microsoft have been investing in making machines smarter, contending the goal is to improve lives. "If we create some digital super-intelligence that exceeds us in every way by a lot, it is very important that it be benign," Musk said at a conference in California. He reasoned that even a benign situation with ultra-intelligent AI would put people so far beneath the machine they would be "like a house cat." "I don't love the idea of being a house cat," Musk said, envisioning the creation of neural lacing that magnifies people's brain power by linking them directly to computing capabilities. Living in a game Some of his ideas have prompted questions about whether Musk is a visionary or mad scientist. He has raised eyebrows with a theory that the world as it is known may be a computer simulation. "I've had so many simulation discussions it's crazy," Musk said while fielding a question on the topic at the conference. He maintained that "the odds that we are in base reality is one in billions." Musk lives in Los Angeles and holds US, Canadian and South African citizenship. He moved to Canada in his late teens and then to the United States, earning bachelor's degrees in physics and business from the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, Musk abandoned plans to pursue further studies at Stanford University and started Zip2, a company that made online publishing software for the media industry. He banked his first millions before the age of 30 when he sold Zip2 to US computer maker Compaq for more than $300 million in 1999. Musk's next company, X.com, eventually merged with PayPal, the online payments firm bought by Internet auction giant eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. Forbes estimates Musk's current net worth at $13.4 billion. (AFP)

Is Tesla chief Elon Musk a visionary or mad scientist?

SpaceX said Monday two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the Moon late next year, in what would mark the furthest humans have ever traveled to deep space.

The United States has not sent astronauts to the Moon since NASA&#39;s Apollo missions of the 1960s and &#39;70s.

&quot;We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year,&quot; said a statement by CEO Elon Musk.

&quot;This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them.&quot;

The tourists, who were not named, &quot;have already paid a significant deposit,&quot; Musk&#39;s statement added.

They will ride aboard the California-based company&#39;s Crew Dragon capsule, which is scheduled for its first unmanned test flight later this year.

It is based on the design currently used to send cargo to the International Space Station, with upgrades to allow for human transport.

(AFP)

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:35.52%"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WBqgeoqQmwU?ecver=2" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" width="1014"></iframe></div>

CEO Elon Musk said the two private citizens 'have already paid a significant deposit' to be sent around the Moon next year

SpaceX said Monday two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the Moon late next year, in what would mark the furthest humans have ever traveled to deep space. The United States has not sent astronauts to the Moon since NASA's Apollo missions of the 1960s and '70s. "We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year," said a statement by CEO Elon Musk. "This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them." The tourists, who were not named, "have already paid a significant deposit," Musk's statement added. They will ride aboard the California-based company's Crew Dragon capsule, which is scheduled for its first unmanned test flight later this year. It is based on the design currently used to send cargo to the International Space Station, with upgrades to allow for human transport. (AFP)

SpaceX to fly two tourists around moon in 2018

The US space agency said Friday it is considering putting astronauts on an upcoming test flight of the deep space capsule Orion as it aims to orbit the Moon.

Orion is being built with an eye to one day ferrying astronauts to Earth&#39;s neighbouring planet, Mars, perhaps by the 2030s.

Until now, the Orion test flight known as Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) was scheduled for 2018 and was expected to be unmanned.

But NASA&#39;s acting administrator Robert Lightfoot asked on February 15 for the space agency to study the feasibility of putting people on board, and the findings of that study are expected in the coming months.

&quot;Our priority is to ensure the safe and effective execution of all our planned exploration missions with the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket,&quot; said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA&#39;s human exploration and operations mission directorate.

The capsule will be propelled to space atop a rocket called the Space Launch System (SLS), which is currently being developed. NASA has described it as the &quot;most powerful rocket in the world.&quot;

Orion will &quot;fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown,&quot; NASA added.

The space capsule also aims to &quot;stay in space longer than any ship for astronauts has done without docking to a space station and return home faster and hotter than ever before.&quot;

The study is evaluating the pros and cons of adding two crew members, and could possibly delay the EM-1 mission until mid-2019.

The current plan is to send astronauts on Orion&#39;s second flight, EM-2, an eight-day mission in 2021. &nbsp;

(AFP)

The deep space capsule Orion will one day take astronauts to Mars

The US space agency said Friday it is considering putting astronauts on an upcoming test flight of the deep space capsule Orion as it aims to orbit the Moon. Orion is being built with an eye to one day ferrying astronauts to Earth's neighbouring planet, Mars, perhaps by the 2030s. Until now, the Orion test flight known as Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) was scheduled for 2018 and was expected to be unmanned. But NASA's acting administrator Robert Lightfoot asked on February 15 for the space agency to study the feasibility of putting people on board, and the findings of that study are expected in the coming months. "Our priority is to ensure the safe and effective execution of all our planned exploration missions with the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's human exploration and operations mission directorate. The capsule will be propelled to space atop a rocket called the Space Launch System (SLS), which is currently being developed. NASA has described it as the "most powerful rocket in the world." Orion will "fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown," NASA added. The space capsule also aims to "stay in space longer than any ship for astronauts has done without docking to a space station and return home faster and hotter than ever before." The study is evaluating the pros and cons of adding two crew members, and could possibly delay the EM-1 mission until mid-2019. The current plan is to send astronauts on Orion's second flight, EM-2, an eight-day mission in 2021. (AFP)

NASA mulls putting astronauts on deep space test flight

The Moon is at least 4.51 billion years old, up to 140 million years older than previously thought, according to a new study of minerals called zircons brought back from the lunar body to the Earth by the Apollo 14 mission in 1971.

The Moon&#39;s age has been a hotly debated topic, even though scientists have tried to settle the question over many years and using a wide range of scientific techniques.

&quot;We have finally pinned down a minimum age for the Moon; it is time we knew its age and now we do,&quot; said Melanie Barboni, research geochemist at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US.

The Moon was formed by a violent, head-on collision between the early Earth and a &quot;planetary embryo&quot; called Theia.

The new study would mean that Moon formed &quot;only&quot; about 60 million years after the birth of the solar system, providing critical information for astronomers and planetary scientists who seek to understand the early evolution of the Earth and our solar system, researchers said.

That has been a difficult task, Barboni said, because &quot;whatever was there before the giant impact has been erased&quot;.

While scientists cannot know what occurred before the collision with Theia, these findings are important because they will help scientists continue to piece together major events that followed it.

It is usually difficult to determine the age of Moon rocks because most of them contain a patchwork of fragments of multiple other rocks. However, Barboni was able to analyse eight zircons in pristine condition.

She examined how the uranium they contained had decayed to lead and how the lutetium they contained had decayed to an element called hafnium.

The researchers analysed those elements together to determine the Moon&#39;s age.

&quot;Zircons are nature&#39;s best clocks. They are the best mineral in preserving geological history and revealing where they originated,&quot; said Kevin McKeegan, a UCLA professor of geochemistry and cosmochemistry.

The Earth&#39;s collision with Theia created a liquefied Moon, which then solidified. Scientists believe most of the Moon&#39;s surface was covered with magma right after its formation.

The uranium-lead measurements reveal when the zircons first appeared in the Moon&#39;s initial magma ocean, which later cooled down and formed the Moon&#39;s mantle and crust; the lutetium hafnium measurements reveal when its magma formed, which happened earlier.

Previous studies concluded the Moon&#39;s age based on Moon rocks that had been contaminated by multiple collisions. McKeegan said those rocks indicated the date of some other events, &quot;but not the age of the Moon&quot;.

The study was published in the journal Science Advances.

(PTI)

The Moon was formed by a violent, head-on collision between the early Earth and a 'planetary embryo' called Theia, and it happened long ago

The Moon is at least 4.51 billion years old, up to 140 million years older than previously thought, according to a new study of minerals called zircons brought back from the lunar body to the Earth by the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. The Moon's age has been a hotly debated topic, even though scientists have tried to settle the question over many years and using a wide range of scientific techniques. "We have finally pinned down a minimum age for the Moon; it is time we knew its age and now we do," said Melanie Barboni, research geochemist at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US. The Moon was formed by a violent, head-on collision between the early Earth and a "planetary embryo" called Theia. The new study would mean that Moon formed "only" about 60 million years after the birth of the solar system, providing critical information for astronomers and planetary scientists who seek to understand the early evolution of the Earth and our solar system, researchers said. That has been a difficult task, Barboni said, because "whatever was there before the giant impact has been erased". While scientists cannot know what occurred before the collision with Theia, these findings are important because they will help scientists continue to piece together major events that followed it. It is usually difficult to determine the age of Moon rocks because most of them contain a patchwork of fragments of multiple other rocks. However, Barboni was able to analyse eight zircons in pristine condition. She examined how the uranium they contained had decayed to lead and how the lutetium they contained had decayed to an element called hafnium. The researchers analysed those elements together to determine the Moon's age. "Zircons are nature's best clocks. They are the best mineral in preserving geological history and revealing where they originated," said Kevin McKeegan, a UCLA professor of geochemistry and cosmochemistry. The Earth's collision with Theia created a liquefied Moon, which then solidified. Scientists believe most of the Moon's surface was covered with magma right after its formation. The uranium-lead measurements reveal when the zircons first appeared in the Moon's initial magma ocean, which later cooled down and formed the Moon's mantle and crust; the lutetium hafnium measurements reveal when its magma formed, which happened earlier. Previous studies concluded the Moon's age based on Moon rocks that had been contaminated by multiple collisions. McKeegan said those rocks indicated the date of some other events, "but not the age of the Moon". The study was published in the journal Science Advances. (PTI)

Our Moon is 140 million years older than we thought: Study

An unusually large and bright moon will adorn the night sky on November 14 - the closest &quot;supermoon&quot; to Earth in 68 years and a chance for dramatic photos and spectacular surf.

Weather permitting, the phenomenon should appear at its most impressive at 13:52 GMT, when it will be at its fullest just&nbsp;as night falls over Asia, astronomers said.

Provided there are no clouds and not too much light pollution, people should be able to see Earth&#39;s satellite loom unusually large over the horizon shortly after sunset, irrespective of where in the world they are.

This happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee -- its closest point to Earth on an elliptical, monthly orbit.

&quot;On November 14, it becomes full within about two hours of perigee - arguably making it an extra-super Moon,&quot; NASA says on its website.
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The orbit itself is changeable, meaning the distance from Earth differs from perigee to perigee -- this time it will be the closest since 1948 at a distance of 356,509 kilometres (221,524 miles).&nbsp;The average is 384,400km.

On Monday, the full moon&#39;s relative proximity should make it appear about 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than at its furthest orbit point, according to the Irish Astronomical Association (IAA).

&quot;Because the earth/moon system will be getting quite close to the time of year when it is closest to the Sun (January 4, 2017), the moon will be receiving more sunlight than average, also boosting its apparent brightness.&quot;

Furthermore, the moon&#39;s position in the sky will mean its southern hemisphere, the brighter of the two, will be turned towards earth, said the IAA.

Illusion

Without foreknowledge, one might barely notice that the moon appears brighter than usual, astronomers say.&nbsp;Once it is high in the sky, it would be hard to tell that the moon is larger. But on the horizon, it could be quite spectacular.

&quot;When you look at the moon when it&#39;s rising, there is this optical illusion where it looks bigger,&quot; astronomer Mark Bailey, emeritus director of the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, told AFP.

Lying low, as a backdrop to trees or buildings for context, our satellite appears larger to the human eye despite being the same size the whole night.

Supermoons are actually quite common -- there is one every 14 months on average. 
&quot;But some supermoons are more super than others,&quot; said Pascal Descamps of the Paris Observatory -- the closer the Earth the more so.

&quot;If you want to try to image it, choose a location where you&#39;ll get some nice terrestrial feature in the foreground: a well-known landmark such as a tower or a spire will provide a nice comparison, particularly if you stay back a bit and&nbsp;use a zoom or telephoto lens which will magnify both objects,&quot; added the IAA.

The supermoon will also mean a stronger high tide, something that gets surfers giddy with excitement, not only at the prospect of riding bigger waves, but doing so at night.

The next comparable event will be in 2034, when the moon will come even closer, by 64km, to Earth.

(AFP)

The phenomenon occurs when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee -- its closest point to earth

An unusually large and bright moon will adorn the night sky on November 14 - the closest "supermoon" to Earth in 68 years and a chance for dramatic photos and spectacular surf. Weather permitting, the phenomenon should appear at its most impressive at 13:52 GMT, when it will be at its fullest just as night falls over Asia, astronomers said. Provided there are no clouds and not too much light pollution, people should be able to see Earth's satellite loom unusually large over the horizon shortly after sunset, irrespective of where in the world they are. This happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee -- its closest point to Earth on an elliptical, monthly orbit. "On November 14, it becomes full within about two hours of perigee - arguably making it an extra-super Moon," NASA says on its website. The orbit itself is changeable, meaning the distance from Earth differs from perigee to perigee -- this time it will be the closest since 1948 at a distance of 356,509 kilometres (221,524 miles). The average is 384,400km. On Monday, the full moon's relative proximity should make it appear about 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than at its furthest orbit point, according to the Irish Astronomical Association (IAA). "Because the earth/moon system will be getting quite close to the time of year when it is closest to the Sun (January 4, 2017), the moon will be receiving more sunlight than average, also boosting its apparent brightness." Furthermore, the moon's position in the sky will mean its southern hemisphere, the brighter of the two, will be turned towards earth, said the IAA. Illusion Without foreknowledge, one might barely notice that the moon appears brighter than usual, astronomers say. Once it is high in the sky, it would be hard to tell that the moon is larger. But on the horizon, it could be quite spectacular. "When you look at the moon when it's rising, there is this optical illusion where it looks bigger," astronomer Mark Bailey, emeritus director of the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, told AFP. Lying low, as a backdrop to trees or buildings for context, our satellite appears larger to the human eye despite being the same size the whole night. Supermoons are actually quite common -- there is one every 14 months on average. "But some supermoons are more super than others," said Pascal Descamps of the Paris Observatory -- the closer the Earth the more so. "If you want to try to image it, choose a location where you'll get some nice terrestrial feature in the foreground: a well-known landmark such as a tower or a spire will provide a nice comparison, particularly if you stay back a bit and use a zoom or telephoto lens which will magnify both objects," added the IAA. The supermoon will also mean a stronger high tide, something that gets surfers giddy with excitement, not only at the prospect of riding bigger waves, but doing so at night. The next comparable event will be in 2034, when the moon will come even closer, by 64km, to Earth. (AFP)

Watch tonight: Closest 'supermoon' to earth in 68 years

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