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| The participants applaud during an event to mark the 11th anniversary of the 2007 inter-Korean summit at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Friday. Yonhap-Joint Press Corps |
A group of South Korean government officials, politicians and civic and religious leaders returned home on Saturday after participating in a joint event to celebrate the anniversary of the 2007 inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang a day earlier.
A delegation of 160 people, led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and ruling Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, arrived in the South via the direct western air route after the three-day trip.
The purpose of the visit was to mark the Oct. 4 Declaration signed by the leaders of the two Koreas in 2007, which centered on building mutual trust, easing tensions and fostering inter-Korean economic cooperation.
The summit was held by then-South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
On Saturday, the delegation visited a pine tree planted by Roh and the North's nominal leader, Kim Yong-nam, at a botanical garden in 2007.
"Looking at the pine tree while standing here, I can feel that North Korea did not forget the meaning and heart of the joint delcaration and made efforts to look after the tree," said the late South Korean president's son, Roh Geon-ho, who was also included in the delegation.
The delegation also brought water and dirt from different locations in South Korea, including the late president's hometown of Bongha, Gimhae, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, which were sprinkled around the tree.
The tree was planted with soil and water from the South's Mount Halla and the North's Mount Paekdu.
While the group had planned to return home in the afternoon, the departure was delayed (until 7:20 p.m.) due to Typhoon Kong-rey.
The group departed for North Korea on Thursday. The two Koreas hosted their first-ever joint event to celebrate the 2007 summit on Friday.
The celebration was part of the agreement between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un last month. (Yonhap)
