남북정상 '핫라인' 개통 완료
Once again we begin with the latest on the preparations leading up to the 2018 inter-Korean summit.
The hotly anticipated direct line of communication is finally set up today, and the two sides tested it out for the first time.
Cha Sang-mi at the presidential office has our top story.
On Friday, working-level officials from Seoul and Pyongyang successfully connected the direct hotline, and conducted a test call at 3:41 PM Seoul time.
The historic call lasted for around 4 minutes and 19 seconds.
One end of the hotline is at the South Korean presidential office -- in fact, it's right on the desk in President Moon's office on the third floor.
On the North Korean side it's at the State Affairs Commission, an executive body headed by Kim Jong-un.
The presidential secretary for monitoring state affairs, Youn Kun-young, made the announcement.
"The historic first call on the direct line between South and North Korea ended just a while ago. The test call took place at around 3:41 p.m. The President's personal secretary, Song In-bae, made the call from our side... and it was received by an official from the State Affairs Commission."
Youn said the signal was great, just like calling someone next door.
"Hello? Can you hear me? This is the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae."
The official from Pyongyang answered, "Yes, this is Pyongyang," and the two introduced themselves. Song said, "the weather is great here in Seoul," and asked, "how is it there?"
His counterpart answered that it's good in Pyongyang as well,... and the two ended the call after saying they hope for a good result at the upcoming inter-Korean summit... and will work hard to make that happen.
Much of the conversation was not revealed because it's classified.
The top office also declined to reveal the name or position of the official in Pyongyang, as the two sides had agreed not to say any more, but the offical said North Korea was very eager and positive in its approach.
"It's still unclear when President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will speak on the phone, but it will be before the summit next Friday. The Blue House official said the phone call was "historic," as it was on the first direct line set up between the two Koreas since their ceasefire 65 years ago.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News."
