The editor of the Korea Herald reflected on the day, stating: "whether (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-il would show up or not at the airport was the talk of the town".
[11] Some of the South Korean journalists tried to leave the Koryo Hotel for an early morning stroll, but were informed that engaging in "personal contacts with Pyongyang citizens would depart from the spirit of the summit agreement".
The inter-Korean talks continued, and North Korea negotiated with normalization of relations with Japan and the United States while maintaining a reconciliation atmosphere.
Kim Jong Il's early visit to Seoul was foreseen, but it was not realized due to the sudden change of international situation.
In accordance with the North–South Joint Declaration arising from the first Inter-Korean summit, the north–south ministerial and military working-level talks were held four times in Pyongyang, Seoul and Jeju Island from July to December 2000.
Kim Dae Jung, the South Korean president at the time, received the Nobel Peace Prize for successfully arranging the summit.