South and North Korea have failed to organize a joint event this month to mark the 15th anniversary of the first-ever inter-Korean summit, a preparatory group here said Tuesday, in what could be another setback to Seoul-Pyongyang ties.
Last month, civilian groups from South and North Korea tentatively agreed to jointly celebrate the summit anniversary in a three-day event starting June 14 in Seoul. But no progress has been made as the North has turned to a lukewarm stance.
A statement from the group in the South showed that the North said it “would be better” to separately hold anniversary events.
The South will continue efforts to change the North’s attitude on the matter, it said.
A summit between then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was held on June 15, 2000.
They produced a landmark joint declaration, which outlines reconciliation and economic cooperation.
The move may dampen prospects for holding a joint event that marks the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule on Korea’s Liberation Day that falls on Aug. 15. (Yonhap)
