아시아 12/02/08 Leaders want to mend cross-border ties - Prominent figures urge government not to let north-south relations slide further..ucanews.com staff

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Leaders want to mend cross-border ties

Prominent figures urge government not to let north-south relations slide further

ucanews.com staff, Seoul
Korea
February 8, 2012

Leaders signing a banner to ask South Korean government to rebuild inter-Korean relationship.

Civic and religious leaders today urged the government to seek re-engagement with the North and try to repair damaged relations which last year reached a post-Korean war low.

Around 100 prominent figures, including Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong of Gwangju, also called for further family reunions, a resumption of tours to Mt Geumgang, and allow humanitarian aid into North Korea.

“North-South relations are at their worst in years. All of us should work together to rebuild inter-Korean ties this year according to the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration,” they said in a statement following a meeting today at the Press Center in Seoul.

They were referring to the joint declaration adopted after former president Kim Dae-jung of South Korea and the late Kim Jong-il of North Korea held historic talks in June 2000.

At those talks, the two leaders agreed on improving relations and realizing peaceful reunification.

In the years that followed exchanges reuniting families separated after the two Koreas split were held and a joint economic zone set up in the North.

These were halted and humanitarian aid restricted after two attacks on South Korea by the North in 2010.

Relations have been soured further by a series of threats since then by the two-sides.

Reverend Lee Hae-hak, president of the Justice and Peace Committee of the National Council of Churches in Korea said: “All of us should repent for neglecting our mission for peaceful reunification.”