SOUTH Korean President Moon Jae-in faces a major backlash after confirming a reconciliation deal with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

After stepping across the border, Kim Jong-un invited his rival to cross the heavily-armed border with him before they returned to the southern side for talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

Their dramatic meeting comes weeks before Kim is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in what would be the first ever meeting between sitting leaders of the two countries.

US Vice-President Mike Pence has skipped a dinner at which he was due to share a table with North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam.