`The Incidents Should Not Disrupt Inter-Korean Civilian Exchanges`

The South Korean delegation who participated in the Pyongyang 8.15 Grand Festival of the National Reunification arrived at the Gimpo Airport on Asiana flight yesterday.

The delegation said in a statement that ``we sincerely apologize for the incidents in Pyongyang and admit that we are responsible for all the incidents.`` However, the delegation insisted that ``these incidents should not disrupt inter-Korean civilian exchanges.``

Prof. Kang Jeong-Gu of Dongguk University, who touched off another controversy when he left a message in the visitor`s note at Mangyongdae, told the reporters right before he was arrested that he ``wrote a random thought at that moment.``

Prof. Kang said that ``the spirit of Mangyongdae stands for the national spirit in commemoration of those who sacrificed themselves for the nation. I did not intend to praise the family of the late leader of North Korea Kim Il-Sung, or `Joo Chae Sa Sang`.``

2,300 police were stationed at the Gimpo Airport yesterday, and various civic organizations protested against and for the activities of the delegation.

The South Korean delegation departed from the Pyongyang Soonahn Airport at 1:05 pm and arrived at the Gimpo Airport at 2:10 pm through the western sea direct route.

Prior to this, the South, the North, and the oversea`s delegation, who participated in the Pyongyang 8.15 Grand Festival for the National Reunification, issued a joint statement that included 5 agreements, such as the Seoul-Pyongyang joint 8.15 festival next year and the North delegation`s visit to Seoul. They also agreed to carry out the 6.15 South-North Joint Statement, to realize the independent peace unification of the nation, and to build solidarity among civic organization for the secure and peaceful settlement of the nation.

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com