All smiles, but the failure of talks could be devastating
If in a few months Kim Jong Un's smiles turn out to be fake, the consequences could be devastating, writes Sky's Siobhan Robbins.
Friday 27 April 2018 09:53, UK
It is a remarkable image; a secretive dictator, labelled a threat to world security, possibly taking his first tentative steps towards peace.
When Kim Jong Un walked into South Korea, he not only made history, he inspired hope.
In a packed press centre, 35 kilometres from the historic meeting, Seoul's journalists couldn't muffle their gasps as the two leaders shook hands.
When Kim crossed the border, spontaneous applause broke out. It was a cautious optimism felt by many in the South.
What happened next wasn't expected or rehearsed. Taking President Moon Jae-In by the hands Kim Jong Un invited him to step into his territory. Mr Moon willingly obliged.
While officials suggest this move was to mark the start of a new friendship, the act also allowed the Northern leader to take control of events.
He was proving that he was coming to the negotiations on his own terms, as an equal not as the head of a rogue state that wanted forgiveness.
Making their way towards Peace House, the man accused of murdering hundreds of his opponents, smiled broadly as he received a guard of honour.
When told he would see an even more impressive ceremony if he ever visited the presidential Blue House, he replied: "If you invite me to the Blue House, I'm willing to go any time."
This message of cooperation and the start of a new chapter in Korea's history was one Kim Jong Un repeated and emphasised throughout the opening moments of this summit.
In the guestbook he wrote: "A new history starts now."
At the negotiating table he said: " I feel like I'm firing a flare at the starting line in the moment of (the two Koreas) writing a new history in the North-South relations, peace and prosperity."
While President Moon agreed and smiled, they both know this offer of friendship doesn't come for free.
The atmosphere of rapprochement is no mistake. Kim Jong Un improved his negotiating power with his nuclear development and now wants to boost his economy.
To do this he needs biting sanctions to be lifted and the cooperation of the outside world.
He also knows that while on one the hand his nuclear capability offers him protection, on the other it puts his regime at greater risk as he is now a legitimate threat to the United States.
Both sides are acutely aware a breakdown of talks could catapult the peninsula towards fresh conflict or push the fiery and unpredictable Donald Trump to order a pre-emptive strike.
With his sister by his side, Kim Jong Un continued the family charm offensive that they began at the Winter Olympics.
But history has proven on this peninsula the road to peace is littered with failure, if, as many fear, in a few months the Kim family smiles turn out to be fake, the consequences for the world could be truly devastating.