hankyoreh

The two Koreas launched a joint private association of literary writers Monday, the first such organization since they were divided more than 60 years ago.

In a meeting at the North's scenic Mount Geumgang, writers from both Koreas announced the establishment of the cross-border organization, through which they will print a publication and award a literary prize, said officials traveling with the South Korean writers.

The sides adopted a 13-point organization regulation aimed at realizing the spirit of the landmark June 2000 summit between the leaders of the two Koreas, which spawned a set of rapprochement projects, the officials said.

"The establishment of this inter-Korean literary body will be an epoch-making turning point in the literary history of the divided Koreas," said Yom Moo-ung, a South Korean literary critic who was appointed to head the association in conjunction with North Korean novelist Kim Deok-chul.

"Now, we'll polish our linguistic beauty under the name of the national literary spirit and sing a poem of peace, which will touch the heartstrings of people around the world," he said.

The launch came amid the heightened tension over North Korea's nuclear threats, which stalled government-level dialogue between the two Koreas. South Korea also suspended its regular financial and food aid to the North over its nuclear and missile programs.

The two Koreas are still technically in a state of war, as their 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Their border is tightly sealed and there is no mail, telephone or other direct means of communication between the two sides.

About 80 writers, 50 from the South and 30 from the North, gathered at the North's mountain for a three-day meeting. The South Koreans are to return home Tuesday.


Mount Geumang, North Korea, Oct. 30 (Yonhap News)