S. Koreans show excitement, wariness at summit result

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans embraced the outcome of Wednesday's inter-Korean summit with both excitement and wariness.

Many citizens watched the live coverage of the press briefing by President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the talks on the second day of Moon's visit to Pyongyang.

In the declaration, the two sides agreed to additional steps for the North's denuclearization, including a permanent shutdown of its missile test facility and a launch pad.

"This summit is significant in that fear of war can be finally put to an end," a 57-year-old surnamed Jang said. "Global geopolitics are changing and a summit to this extent will, I think, rein in North Korea from backpedaling on its promises all of a sudden like it has done before."

Another citizen surnamed Kim, 58, also hailed the outcome and said it's time that politicians, conservative or liberal, work together to realize the promises.

"The leaders met three times to build trust and produce the outcomes. More trust building can lead to far better and bigger results. It's time that the parliament did their jobs to give a boost."

A citizen surnamed Chun, 46, said it's "surreal" listening to the declaration and raised hopes for further developments toward unification.

Other citizens expressed doubt.

"I think they're doing well, except North Korea is not trustworthy since it always changes its mind," a 79-year-old surnamed Cho said. "Kim Jong-un will never give up his nukes."

A 68-year-old surnamed Chung said the Moon government is being too generous in expanding economic exchanges with the North while the domestic economy remains sluggish.

"Medical aid and building more rails are fine, but we shouldn't give them too much at one time," he said. "Our economy is at stake. We can't afford to spend too much money."

elly@yna.co.kr
(END)