It has been a historic week on the Korean Peninsula. The summit between the leaders of North and South Korea, Mr. Kim Jong Il and Mr. Kim Dae Jung, has surpassed all expectations. It is tempting to say that the two men are writing the final chapter of the Cold War, but the temptation should be resisted. The meeting has altered the political dynamic on the peninsula, but the changes are still only in the air. Now the real work begins: translating the giddy atmosphere into concrete accomplishments.
From the moment that South Korea's President Kim stepped onto the tarmac in Pyongyang, surprises were in store. The personal reception by his North Korean counterpart was unscripted and unprecedented. The ease with which the North Korean leader bantered with Mr. Kim and his revelations of travels abroad were a stunning repudiation of his image as a dour recluse.
It was generally agreed that the summit would be judged a success if Mr. Kim Jong Il agreed to visit Seoul in return. And he did, although the final communique said he would visit "at the appropriate time." But there was much more to celebrate. The two men agreed to allow visits on Aug. 15 for an unspecified number of the 1.2 million members of families that have been separated since the Korean War. President Kim of South Korea has made this a priority issue. He is especially concerned about elderly Korean War survivors, an estimated 260,000 of whom are over 70.