Regular Briefing by Minister of Unification (December 28, 2006)
The Second Inter-Korean Summit Meeting is Rescheduled for Oct.2-4
The 2nd Inter-Korean Summit Meeting, which was planned to be held from August 28 to 30, is rescheduled for October 2-4 because of flood damage in North Korea.
At the briefing on August 18, the presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said,"Director of the United Front Department of North Korea Kim Yang-gon today notified South Korea's Director of National Intelligence Service Kim Man-bok saying that the North wanted the inter-Korean Summit slated for later this month be delayed to a later date. Taking into consideration urgency of the restoration work in the wake of the recent flood disaster, the North proposed to hold the meeting early October. The North Korean official left the exact dates open for South Korea to decide."
He also said,"The North said it had so far exerted faithful endeavors to ensure a successful visit by President Roh Moo-hyun to North Korea. Pyongyang also noted that the two Koreas had reached amicable agreements at preparatory talks and working-level meetings held by area of interest. Citing the damages done recently by devastating rainstorms across the North, however, Pyongyang said the top priority at the moment was to stabilize everyday lives of the flood victims through restoration activities. There is no change at all in the position of the North with regard to holding the Second South-North Summit and to the validity of the results of working-level preparatory contacts made so far, the North said. The North added it expected the South to show understanding and cooperation on this regard."
The government held the Inter-Korean Summit Committee of the South at 2p.m on August 18 and decided to approve the North's request. Allowing for several conditions, the committee notified to the North that October 2 through 4 are the most desirable dates.
