Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Wednesday appealed that the current government should make efforts to rebuild trust with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) before offering new inter-Korean summit.
"The Lee Myung-bak government has been disregarding the Oct. 4,2007 summit declaration. Inter-Korean relations clogged again as a result," said Roh, who finished his presidential tenure in February this year, at a civilian ceremony held in Seoul, while stressing that Lee's administration broke confidence between Seoul and Pyongyang.
It was Roh's first public appearance since leaving the presidential office. Roh made a visit to Pyongyang in October last year and signed on Oct. 4 inter-Korean summit declaration after holding summit with DPRK top leader Kim Jong-il.
Roh and Kim agreed to expand economic and political cooperation between the two sides at the declaration.
Roh also urged the current government to refrain from provoking DPRK by demonstrating a strong alliance between South Korea, the United States and Japan.
The inter-Korean ties have been strained since Lee Myung-bak took office in late February as Lee's administration adopts tougher stance against Pyongyang and vowed to reconsider inter-Korean cooperation programs reached by former administrations. The inter-Korean cooperation has made few progress while political dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang has been suspended since Lee took office.
During Lee's latest visit to Russia, Lee said he is willing to hold inter-Korean summit with DPRK leader. The DPRK side hasn't shown any responses to Lee's offer so far.
Source: Xinhua
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