October 2, 2007, (LPAC)-- In a gesture of historic significance, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun today walked across the "line" between the two Koreas at Panmunjom in advance of talks with North Korean president Kim Jong-il. When he arrived in Pyongyang later that day, his motorcade was uncharacteristically met in person by Kim. In comments after crossing the border, published in the Washington Times, President Roh reflected the optimism of the occasion. "I am now crossing this forbidden line... After I return home, many more people will do likewise. Then this line of division will finally be erased, and the barrier will break down," Roh said. "The South and North are now walking side be side on a new path toward reconciliation and cooperation."

With Roh is a 300-member delegation, including top political, religious and business leaders.

At the meeting of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Australia last month, President Roh publicly told George W. Bush that he wants to end the hostilities between North and South Korea. But Bush said that there can be peace between North and South only after North Korea "verifiably" ends its nuclear program: a line that comes directly from Dick Cheney's war party.