DPRK proposes inter-Korean conference for reunification

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday proposed a conference with South Korea to discuss reunification of the Korean nation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The proposal, in the form of a letter, was sent to South Korean authorities by the DPRK's preparatory committee for this proposed joint meeting, the official KCNA news agency reported.

The DPRK proposed a meeting either in the capital city of Pyongyang or the border city of Kaesong with the participation of political parties, organizations and personages from the DPRK, South Korea and abroad.

The date will be around Aug. 15, when both countries celebrate the anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonization.

Pyongyang also proposed a working-level contact to discuss the setup of a joint preparatory committee for such a conference, at a place to be agreed upon.

In late May, the DPRK's Ministry of People's Armed Forces under the National Defense Commission proposed twice to Seoul a working-level contact for talks between militaries of the two countries in order to defuse tensions and create confidence-building atmosphere.

South Korea flatly rejected the offer, insisting that the DPRK take denuclearization measures first.

At the ruling party's national congress in early May, the DPRK's top leader, Kim Jong Un, proposed talks at all levels with South Korea so as to remove misunderstanding and distrust. Endi