NK Prepares Large-Scale 8.15 Event

North Korean prepares a large-scale 8.15 event to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the 6.15 Inter-Korea Declaration and the summit talk.

A government official said, ``the North is preparing a large-scale 8.15 event in Pyongyang. However, the exchange of the 8.15 celebration may fall through considering the current Inter-Korean situation.``

The government authority revealed that ``the North has already delivered 15 invitations to the Korean Confederation of Trade Union and the Korean Association of Farmers Movement respectively on Aug. 15. The invitation will be expanded to other civic organizations such as religious groups and culture movement circles.

He also added that ``South organizations move forward with a plan to invite the related officials of the North on Aug. 15 but cannot predict the response of the North at this time. The North Korean invitation to its 8.15 events evidences the validity of the Inter-Korean relationship despite the suspension of the dialogues between the authorities of both sides.``

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com