Delegations from North and South Korea have joined in ceremonies in Pyongyang to mark the fifth anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit.
The two sides reaffirmed today-Wednesday the declaration signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on June 15, 2000.
The festivities are being held under the shadow of the current standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons program. South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young is carrying messages from last week's Seoul-Washington summit urging North Korea to return to the six-nation talks.
Mr. Chung is expected to hold private talks with senior North Korean officials, including Kim Yong-nam, the North's second-ranked leader.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.