"Mutual Trust Restoration and Agreement on Relationship Improvement"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] On the morning of the 27th at 10 a.m., North and South Korea restored the communication hotline that had been severed for 413 days, prompting major foreign media outlets to urgently report the news.
As soon as the news was delivered, major foreign media quoted the Blue House announcement, stating that "North and South Korea have agreed to restore the severed communication lines."
AFP reported that North Korea had unilaterally cut off all official communication links with the South in June last year in response to the distribution of leaflets, but restored the hotline on this day.
AP News stated, "Currently, North Korea is experiencing a severe economic crisis due to border closures amid typhoon damage and the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "Experts have suggested the possibility that North Korea might first signal its willingness to resume negotiations with South Korea and the United States."
The Guardian also highlighted the restoration of the communication line, reporting, "President Moon Jae-in has officially demanded the restoration of communication lines and the resumption of negotiations," and "With this restoration, the leaders of North and South Korea have agreed to restore mutual trust and improve relations."
Bloomberg also reported the restoration of the inter-Korean hotline, noting that the leaders exchanged letters and agreed on rebuilding relations, marking a breakthrough in the long-stalled nuclear negotiations.
Bloomberg added, "The two leaders agreed to quickly restore mutual trust," noting that the efforts to improve relations, including the hotline restoration, took place on the 68th anniversary of the Korean War armistice.
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