OSAKA — Local Korean residents welcomed Tuesday's historic summit between the leaders of North and South Korea but cautioned that numerous hurdles remained to reunification.
"A large step forward toward peace was taken today, and Koreans throughout Japan welcome the summit between South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il," said Kim Jong Ui, a spokesman for the Osaka branch of the pro-Pyonyang General Association of Korean Residents (Chongryun).
"However, the issue of Korean reunification is one that must be decided upon by the people of both Koreas only," Kim said. "It is not a problem for the international community."