S. Korea allows civic groups to send condolences over DPRK leader's death

S. Korea allows civic groups to send condolences over DPRK leader's death
South Korea will allow civic groups and civilians to send messages of condolences to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its leader's recent death, the unification ministry said here Wednesday.

The unification ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, will grant approvals to groups and individuals wishing to send such messages via fax or mail, spokesman Choi Boh-seon said in a briefing.

"The unification ministry plans to accept such requests unless there's a special reason not to," Choi added.

As of Wednesday, a few private organizations including Hyundai Asan, an operator of suspended cross-border tours, have asked the ministry to extend their condolences to the DPRK.

The move comes a day after South Korea expressed its sympathy to people of the DPRK over top leader Kim Jong Il's reported death on Saturday.

The country decided not to send an official delegation to attend Kim's funeral, as the DPRK said it will not accept foreign delegations for the funeral ceremony scheduled on Dec. 28.

The government said Tuesday it will allow Pyongyang visits by the families of late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and former Hyundai Group chairman Chung Mong-hun, in appreciation of Pyongyang's previous decisions to send delegates to honor the two men at their funerals.

Former first lady Lee Hee-ho, whose late husband had forged friendly ties with the DPRK that culminated in a historic joint summit in 2000, has voiced hope for a Pyongyang visit even before Kim's death.

Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun, who remains committed to the troubled cross-border tour projects since her husband Chung Mong-hun killed himself in 2003, offered condolences over Kim's death in a press release Monday.

The DPRK announced a 13-day mourning period through Dec. 29.

English.news.cn   2011-12-21 14:52:30              
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Xinhua)