Hand-holding, tears a link for North, South

Liberation Day ceremonies at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel proceeded smoothly Thursday as both sides strived to pave a new path on North-South cooperation in the private sector. Delegates recalled last year's controversial event when some members of the South Korean delegation in Pyeongyang defied government orders and participated in events Seoul deemed subversive.

Executives of the Center of South Korean delegates urged participants to act "wisely." North Korean participants also wished for a successful event held in an amiable atmosphere.

Kim Yong-dae, head of the North delegation, his South Korean counterpart Lee Don-myung and Han Kwang-ok, Millennium Democratic Party lawmaker entered the ballroom hand-in- hand to join the opening ceremony.

Kim Myong-chol, head of the Union of Agricultural Working People, said that Korean people displayed excellence at the 17th World Cup tournament. But he added, "How can the two Koreas remain as main enemies, when we're the same people and share the same blood?"

Ryo Won-gu, head of the Democratic Front of the Reconciliation, shed tears as she held hands of her cousin Lyo Ik-goo's wife, Oh Se-yeon, for the first time at the Walker Hill Hotel. Mr. Lyo is a South Korean delegate.

Ms. Ryo is the daughter of Lyuh Woon-hyung, a noted figure in the Korean independence movement during the first half of the century. She visited her father's grave in Seoul on Wednesday.

Ms. Ryo met 11 relatives living in Daegu and Seoul for the first time. "We came from Daegu just to see her," said Yoon Gi-su, a relative. They participated in the day's ceremony.

Lee Gi-hyeon, who served Ms. Ryo's late father, held her hand in tears. "I feel as though I'm looking at Mr. Lyuh," he said.

by Ko Soo-suk, Baik Sung-ho