SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS PLANNED SUMMIT ON 28 AUGUST BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S

REPUBLIC OF KOREA, REPUBLIC OF KOREA IS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE ON PENINSULA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement today in Seoul of a planned summit meeting on 28 August in Pyongyang between the leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea.  The Secretary-General believes that such a meeting offers a significant opportunity for the promotion of peace and security on the Korean peninsula and inter-Korean reconciliation.  He wishes to commend the two leaders for their initiative and hopes that this positive development will give further impetus to the progress made recently within the framework of the six-party talks.

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For information media • not an official record