More Inter-Korean Exchanges in the Pipeline

North Korea has invited a South Korean taekwondo demonstration team and musicians and entertainers for a performance in Pyongyang.

The suggestion came during a visit to North Korea on Monday by national security adviser Chung Eui-yong and National Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon. If this materializes, it will be the first performance by a South Korean ensemble in the North in 16 years.

The South Korean government is apparently keen to carry on the conciliatory mood amid North Korea's recent charm offensive, so it is likely to hold a concert there ahead of a mooted inter-Korean summit in late April.

"The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will discuss the details with its North Korean counterpart to decide on the timing and scale" of the performance, a Unification Ministry spokesman said.

There are hopes that the thaw could lead to other civil exchanges including reunion of families separated by the Korean War.