A renowned South Korean orchestra conductor headed to North Korea on Monday to discuss cultural exchanges between the two Koreas in what could be another sign of a thaw in inter-Korean relations.
Chung Myung-whun, who leads the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and doubles as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, got on a Pyongyang-bound flight at Seowudu Airport in Beijing at 1:20 p.m. (local time) along with two senior Seoul orchestra officials.
"I am very pleased to visit North Korea and hope to meet North Korean musicians," Chung told reporters before leaving the airport. "As an individual and a musician, I hope two Koreas could get closer to each other more naturally." (Yonhap)