SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il greeted South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in Pyongyang before thousands of cheering residents Tuesday to begin only the second summit between the two countries since the peninsula's division after World War II.

North Koreans waving pink paper flowers and a military honor guard bearing rifles with bayonets heralded the leaders' first encounter outside a cultural hall in the North Korean capital, after Roh traveled some 3½ hours by road from his capital, Seoul.

The two leaders walked down a red carpet where Kim, wearing his typical khaki military jumpsuit, introduced Roh to top North Korean leaders. Kim shook hands with members of the South Korean delegation.