South-North Unity Meeting in Jeopardy

The Pro-Seoul Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) suffers from intra-circle conflicts.

Against this backdrop, memorial service of the August 15 Independence Day, which was expected to be co-hosted by the Pro-Seoul group and Pro-North Residents League in Japan (Jochongryeon) had consented as one of emblems of historical reconciliation, is not likely to take place.

Mindan allegedly failed to reach an agreement on hosting the event and other pending issues in its headquarters in Tokyo on June 15.

At the reconciliation statement that they announced on May 17, the two organizations agreed to jointly host the event for the Independence Day.

Prior to this, Mindan renounced its participation in the June 15 Grand National Festival (in Gwangju) as well.

Young-A Soh sya@donga.com