President Moon Jae-in and his aides watched the progress of the inter-Korean talks held at the border village of Panmunjeom via television at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday.
This was possible because of a surveillance camera installed in the room where the talks were held.
Citizens also waited for updates on the negotiations, which may bring a breakthrough in relations on the divided peninsula.
Around 9:30 a.m., North Korean negotiators arrived at the House of Peace on the southern side of Panmunjeom by walking across the Military Demarcation Line. Officials from the two Koreas shared casual talk and jokes, trying to relieve tension.
When Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon asked about the bitter cold in the North, his North Korean counterpart Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, responded with well-wishing remarks.
"Despite the freezing cold, aspirations for better North-South ties are like ceaseless water flowing under the thick layers of ice," Ri said. "Today's dialogue table owes to the desire of the people as well as the will of heaven. Let's prepare a priceless New Year's gift together for all Koreans."
"The South is also clearly aware of the citizens' wish for reconciliation and peace between the two Koreas," Cho said. "We will not hurry to overachieve. Let's make efforts together to solve problems with patience and determination." Following the first round of talks, the two sides had separate lunches starting around 1 p.m. At 2:14 p.m., the North Koreans returned to the House of Peace. Asked about the prospects for the afternoon session, Ri said, "It will go smoothly."
On the occasion of the chance to relieve tension in Northeast Asia, Pope Francis called for all nations to back the event.
"It is of paramount importance to support every effort of the dialogue on the Korean Peninsula in order to find new ways of overcoming the current disputes, increasing mutual trust and ensuring a peaceful future for the Korean people and the entire world,"the pope was quoted as saying in a speech.
Divided opinions
Political parties showed mixed reactions, revealing their striking ideological conflict particularly regarding North Korea.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pinned high hopes on the talks, wishing for a peaceful Winter Olympics scheduled to begin next month.
"The DPK hopes the talks will become a turning point to make the PyeongChang Olympics a peaceful ceremony," floor leader Woo Won-shik said, Tuesday. "We believe the high-level talks will let the international event fulfill the spirit of peace."
The minor liberal People's Party also welcomed the talks.
"We hope the dialogue will be the starting point in achieving permanent denuclearization of the peninsula," party spokesman Kim Chun-keun said in a statement.
"At the same time, we urge the government to keep in mind that the North's nuclear and missile ambitions remain the same."
The progressive Justice Party called for a "prudent" and "audacious" discussion to embrace humanitarian issues including the reunion of divided families.
"We are looking forward to a symbolic agreement to mark these efforts for peace," party spokesman Choi Suk said. On the other hand, the conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP) concerned about the North's "disguised" peace overtures, saying Pyongyang may eye softer international sanctions or another nuclear test by using the conciliatory mood as leverage.
"North Korea's nuclear renunciation has precedence over the peaceful Olympics," LKP spokesman Rep. Choung Tae-ok said Monday. "The LKP will never tolerate any concession that put breaks on international efforts to sanction North Korea." The chairman of the minor conservative Bareun Party echoed the call for "denuclearization," while keeping silent over the symbolic meaning of the talks.