Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Two Koreas fail to jointly celebrate 2000 inter-Korean summit
By Yi Whan-woo
The two Koreas have failed to agree on ways of jointly celebrating the 15th anniversary of the inter-Korean summit at a civic level this year, Seoul’s preparatory group said Tuesday.
According to the South Korean side of the pan-national unification preparatory committee, its North Korean counterpart said Monday that it will separately organize events to celebrate the June 15, 2000 Summit.
“The North Koreans told us in a fax message that each side will commemorate the historic day in its respective country,” it said in a statement.
The civilian representatives of the two sides sought to jointly celebrate the first-ever inter-Korean summit as part of their efforts to help mend frayed relations between their governments.
In their meeting from May 4 to 7 in Shenyang, China, the representatives tentatively agreed to organize a festival in Seoul this year to mark the talks between then-President Kim Dae-jung and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il ― both now deceased.
The two leaders unveiled the June 15, 2000 Declaration, which outlined a peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula. The landmark agreement has served as a symbol of inter-Korean reconciliatory efforts since then.
According to the preparatory group here, its Pyongyang counterpart accused the South Korean government of “peddling influence” in the efforts to commemorate the summit following the meeting in China.
It also said the two sides have not yet reached an agreement over where to mark Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) on Aug. 15.
According to sources, the North Koreans have insisted on celebrating the June 15 Declaration in Seoul and the 70th anniversary of Liberation Day in Pyongyang.
The sources also said the South Korean counterparts have demanded that the celebrations for Liberation Day take place in Seoul.
The Ministry of Unification, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, called Tuesday for Seoul-Pyongyang cultural exchanges on a civic level.
“We hope the North Koreans come up with a sincere manner in organizing joint activities,” a ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
The inter-Korean commemoration for the Seoul-Pyongyang summit was last held in 2008 on Mount Geumgang, a scenic resort in North Korea.