Projects such as the meetings of separated families and minister-level talks were discussed with enthusiasm, while channels of conversation between military and other authorities were opened. Also projects were pursued to reconnect railways in the west and east coast regions, as well as civilian-level interaction in the form of a Joint North-South Ceremony.

However, relations soon deteriorated with the launch of the George W. Bush administration. The U.S. constantly expressed doubt on North Korea’s compliance with the Geneva Accord of 1994,