Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday hailed the outcome of the inter-Korean summit and the leaders' pledge to achieve a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

"I welcome (the outcome) as the earnest discussion on denuclearization and other issues was a move toward the comprehensive resolution of various challenges surrounding North Korea," Abe told reporters at his office.

Praising South Korea's efforts in the run-up to the historic summit, Abe said he will be briefed over the phone on the outcome by President Moon Jae-in.