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An unexpected change of course by North Korea,.
Pyongyang has suggested they would like to jointly celebrate this year's anniversary
of the signing of the June 15th North-South Declaration,. a pact that lays out steps toward
a peaceful reunification of the two Koreas.
Seoul and Pyongyang haven't commemorated the day together. for four years.
Arirang News' Han Da-eun has the details. North Korea has invited a South Korean civic
group to jointly organize a ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of a landmark inter-Korean
declaration signed on June 15th, 2000.
The joint declaration, signed by former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and former North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il after the first inter-Korean summit in history,. outlines
five main provisions to be implemented by the two Koreas. in the hopes of realizing
a peaceful reunification
They include. resolving the reunification issue through the efforts of Koreans and Koreans
only,. promptly resolving humanitarian issues like reunions of families separated by the
Korean War,. and developing mutual trust by promoting economic cooperation.
South Korea's Committee for Implementation of the June 15th Joint Declaration said Thursday.
that its North Korean counterpart suggested celebrating the day together either in Gaeseong
or Mt. Geumgang,. the sites of suspended inter-Korean projects.
The suggestion came via fax. which said that the only way to mend strained inter-Korean
relations is to fully implement the joint declaration.
The unexpected invitation comes nearly five years after joint commemoration ceremonies
came to a halt. after a South Korean tourist visiting Mt. Geumgang was shot dead by a North
Korean soldier.
The head of the South Korean committee expressed hope that the joint event could be a starting
point for a resumption of operations at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.
But Seoul's Ministry of Unification remains cautious,. as the invite comes at a very sensitive
time,. and there is concern that a joint celebration could send the wrong message to Pyongyang.
The ministry told reporters that it would conduct a comprehensive review of the proposal,.
taking into account the various implications of a joint commemoration.
Han Da-eun, Arirang News.