Moon Jae-in, Kim Jong Un visit sacred North Korea mountain

Accra, Sept. 20-(UPI/GNA) – The inter-Korean
summit headed to the peak of sacred Mount Paektu Thursday, a dream trip for
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the final day of his meetings with Kim
Jong UN.

Moon left Pyongyang to a farewell by citizens
on the last day of his visit to North Korea. He and first lady Kim Jung-sook
flew to the north western region, where they were joined by Kim and his wife,
Ri Sol Ju, at an airport near Mount Paektu.

They were welcomed by military ceremonial
guards and North Korea citizens, according to South Korea’s presidential
office.

Moon and Kim reached the top of the mountain
by a cable car and walked around the large crater lake, called Heaven Lake.

“I believe time will come for South
Korean people to go travel to Mount Paektu. I’m taking the first step and there
will be more people to come,” Moon said, according to media pool reports.

The 2,744-meter active volcano mountain is a
source of myths and legends in Korean history.

In North Korea, it carries much significance
that the name of the mountain represents the legitimacy of the founding Kim
family. Their “Paektu” bloodline runs from founder Kim Il Sung to
current, third-generation leader Kim Jong Un and his younger sister Kim Yo
Jung, a close adviser to Kim.

Moon’s unexpected visit to Mount Paektu came
after a surprising speech to thousands of North Koreans in Pyongyang on
Wednesday. Moon addressed some 150,000 gathered to watch the Mass Games at a
stadium in the capital city.

Titled Glorious Country, North Korea’s
signature performing arts show was modified to show less of propaganda displays
for the South Korean president and his delegations.

“We lived 5,000 years together, yet lived
apart for 70 years. I would like to suggest we take a step together to reunify
as one and end 70 years of hostility,” said Moon in his speech Wednesday.

GNA

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