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.
Delegation leaves for Pyongyang, join 2007 summit anniversary
Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, right, and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Hae-chan shake hands at a parking lot in Seoul, Thursday, before leaving for North Korea to join the anniversary commemoration for the 2007 inter-Korean summit between then-President Roh Moo-hyun and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo, Joint Press Corps
South Korea sent a delegation to the North, Thursday, to jointly celebrate the anniversary of the second inter-Korean summit between then-President Roh Moo-hyun and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
This is the first time the two Koreas will join hands to mark the Roh-Kim summit that took place in Pyongyang from Oct. 2 to 4, 2007.
The two sides often commemorated the first inter-Korean summit in June 2000 between Roh's predecessor Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il. But the anniversaries of the 2007 summit were kept out of the spotlight under the conservative governments of Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye from February 2008 to March 2017.
A delegation of 160 people led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Hae-chan left for Pyongyang via the western direct air route across the border. They will return on Saturday.
The delegation is comprised of government officials, politicians and civic and religious leaders. They include Roh Geon-ho, son of Roh Moo-hyun. Former President Roh committed suicide in 2008 amid a corruption investigation.
On Friday, the delegates will take part in the 11th anniversary of the second inter-Korean summit as well as the Oct. 4 Declaration adopted by the two leaders.
The declaration inherits the spirit of the first inter-Korean summit to end military hostility, foster economic cooperation and work toward permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“We make this trip to Pyongyang in the spirit of the October 4 Declaration,” Minister Cho said before leaving for the North. “The government authorities together with political parties, municipal government officials and civic groups will return after creating a chance to solidify inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and peace.”
The minister met his North Korean counterpart, Ri Son-gwon, to discuss follow-up measures to the agreement reached between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in September.
It has not yet been determined, however, whether Cho and other chief delegates will have a chance to meet Kim Jong-un.
“It would be very emotional if Roh Geon-ho meets with Kim Jong-un, considering they are both sons of the leaders who met in 2007,” a DPK official said.
Lee Hae-chan, who also serves as the head of a private foundation honoring Roh, said the trip could set the stage for vibrant civilian inter-Korean exchanges.
“I'll make efforts to pave the way for the two Koreas to fully communicate so that South-North relations could move away from confrontation toward peaceful coexistence,” Lee said.
The three-day visit adds to the inter-Korean reconciliatory mood facilitated by the September summit between Moon and Kim.