S. Korea approves plan for inter-Korean music festival

Asian Economic News, April 19, 1999

SEOUL, April 16 Kyodo

The South Korean government approved a plan Friday by a domestic entertainment agency to hold an inter-Korean music festival in Seoul and Pyongyang. A Unification Ministry spokesman said the South Korean government approved the plan of the Culture and Art (CNA) Korea Co. to stage the inter-Korean cooperation project called '99 International Music Performances for Peace in Seoul and Pyongyang. Under the festival plans, 200 South Koreans will visit Pyongyang to attend music performances to be jointly held by a North Korean and an international philharmonic orchestra, which will include South Korean musicians, in May or June, the spokesman said in a press release. "The approval is in line with the government's consistent position that various inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation will help foster reconciliation and trust between North and South Korea and also restore national homogeneity," said the spokesman. Officials from CNA Korea are to visit North Korea to work out details of the performances. The performances in Pyongyang will be held at Mansudae Art Theater by the Pyongyang National Philharmonic Orchestra and Eurasian Philharmonic, composed of musicians from South Korea, European and Asian countries. Inter-Korean music performances will also be held in Seoul in May or June by the Seoul City Philharmonic Orchestra and the Pyongyang National Philharmonic Orchestra. The Seoul performances will be held at Sejong Cultural Center and the Olympic Stadium, according to the CNA Korea plan. A Unification Ministry official said North Korea appeared interested in holding inter-Korean music performances since the North has already sent documents guaranteeing the safety of South Korean musicians and audience member who visit Pyongyang. CNA Korea will pay 1 million dollars to North Korea's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which handles intra-Korea businesses, the ministry spokesman said.