Korean leaders eye peace treaty and co-operation

THE leaders of North and South Korea yesterday pledged to seek a peace treaty to replace the Korean War’s 1953 ceasefire and expand projects to reduce tension across the world’s last Cold War frontier.

The pact came a day after a deal at China-hosted arms talks among North Korea, the US and other regional powers, in which Pyongyang promised to disable its main nuclear facilities and fully declare its nuclear programmes by December 31.

The move would be the biggest step North Korea has taken to scale back its nuclear ambitions after decades of seeking to develop the world’s deadliest weapons. US President George W Bush hailed it as a key for “peace and prosperity” in north-east Asia.