Hotline between Seoul and Pyongyang restored 

Reuters reported that the two Koreas issued optimistic statements expressing willingness to renew negotiations and improve ties

The leaders of South and North Korea have restored the hotline between them as part of efforts to improve ties between Seoul and Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced. 

Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un exchanged letters since April and decided to restore the hotline. The North's state-run news agency announced that the direct telephone line between the two leaders will start to operate in the coming days.  

Reuters reported that the two countries issued optimistic statements expressing willingness to renew negotiations and improve ties. North Korea severed the hotline in 2020 after the failure of the second summit between Kim and then U.S. President Trump. 

This week, the two Koreas marked the 68th anniversary of the ceasefire that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.