S Korean culture Min. hosts state banquet for OANA members

SEOUL, Nov. 17 (MNA) – Following the first day of 39th OANA Technical and Executive Committee Meeting, South Korean minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the vice minister of Foreign Affairs held a state banquet in Seoul. Yonhap President and CEO Park No-hwang, as the host, and OANA Secretary General Michael Guzman welcomed the guests at Somerset Palace. Japan’s Kyodo News president, and South Korean vice minister of Foreign Affairs made a speech during the banquet. Pointing to the recent events in the region and especially in Paris, South Korean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam condemned the terrorist attacks and stressed the important role of press on the issue. He also noted that Seoul’s cooperation in combating terrorism will earnestly continue. Moreover, he criticized Pyongyang's policy in putting restrictions on its citizens and demanded the Reunification of Korea. The 1950 to 1953 Korean War separated thousands of Korean families, some of which being able to meet again after decades. The two Koreas are divided and remain in a technical state of war, but agreed to hold the reunions after negotiating the end of a standoff at the military border. Thirty-ninth Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) Executive Board Meeting was officially opened on Monday, November 16, and will run for two days at the head office of Yonhap News Agency in Seoul. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/112025/S-Korean-culture-Min-hosts-state-banquet-for-OANA-members