ROK, DPRK hold joint event to celebrate anniversary of 2007 summit

SEOUL — The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday held a joint event in Pyongyang to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the 2007 inter-Korean summit, according to a pool report from ROK media.

The ceremony was held to mark the 11th anniversary of the 2007 summit in Pyongyang between then ROK President Roh Moo-hyun and then DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, the father of the current leader.

It was the first time that the two sides jointly held the celebration event as the inter-Korean ties improved after three summits in 2018 between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un.

A ROK delegation, composed of about 160 public officials and civilians, arrived in Pyongyang Thursday for their three-day visit to the DPRK.

The delegation was led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Lee Hae-chan, chief of the ruling Democratic Party.

Cho said at the ceremony that inter-Korean relations were developing into a new high level, adding that the two sides will go step by step toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.

From the DPRK side, about 3,000 people attended the event, including Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland.