|
|
|
summit anniversary-GNP boycott
GNP lawmakers boycott summit celebration over seating dispute
SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- Delegates from South Korea's conservative Grand National Party (GNP) visiting North Korea to celebrate the anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit boycotted the event after the North prevented them from sitting in the VIP area, pool reports said Saturday.
On Friday, the joint celebration marking the seventh anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit was abruptly halted when North Korean organizers blocked Rep. Park Kye-dong of the GNP, who allegedly tried sit in the VIP area with other dignitaries.
Earlier, the two sides agreed to resume the event either later in the day or early Sunday, excluding members of the GNP from the VIP area, according to pool reports. The GNP delegation vowed not to participate in the event, reports said.
"The North has proposed a list of 11 dignitaries (which excludes any GNP members) to be seated in the VIP area," said Hong Chang-jin, spokesman for the 247-member South Korean delegation.
"We decided to continue with the ceremony as we were entrusted by Paik Nak-chung, South Korea's chief delegate, to proceed with the event in any way," Hong added.
The South has repeatedly suggested the inclusion of a GNP representative in the area, as originally scheduled. The suggestions were not accepted by the North.
In recent months, Pyongyang has consistently blasted the conservative party and warned that if its candidate wins the upcoming presidential election in December, hostilities between the two Koreas could flare up.
The delegation that arrived on a direct chartered flight over the West Sea on Thursday includes religious leaders and civic group members, artists, athletes and politicians.
This is the second time since this year's celebrations began that the two sides collided over steps taken by South Korean participants.
The two Koreas held their first-ever summit in June 2000, opening the gates to rapprochement and reconciliation. But North and South Korea are still technically in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
On the first day of the celebration, South Korean participants, along with 3,000 North Korean citizens, attended an opening ceremony at the South Gate of Mount Taesong in Pyongyang. They then took a tour of the North's capital and watched an artistic performance.
The two Koreas have alternated hosting the joint anniversary celebration, but this year's event, organized by North Korea, excluded South Korean government officials after the latest inter-Korean ministerial talks ended without tangible results earlier this month. Some perceive the action as an indirect way for the North to express anger at the South's withholding of rice aid until the North takes steps toward nuclear dismantlement.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
|
| |
|
|
Home
