ID :
207101
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 14:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207101
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean maestro held talks with N. Korean artists in Pyongyang: report
SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- A renowned South Korean orchestra conductor held talks with North Korean artists during his visit to Pyongyang, the North's state media reported Wednesday, a trip he said is aimed at promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Chung Myung-whun, who leads the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and doubles as a UNICEF "goodwill ambassador," arrived in Pyongyang on Monday with two senior Seoul orchestra officials with hopes of discussing a variety of cultural exchange programs with North Korean artists. The 59-year-old Chung said he hopes to ease strained relations between the two nations through inter-Korean art projects, such as holding concerts and music programs for children.
In a two-sentence dispatch late Wednesday, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Chung watched and conducted performances of the North's State Symphony Orchestra and the Unhasu Orchestra and had "a talk with creators during his stay here." Jung and his colleagues also visited the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, it added.
The report gave no other details about how long the meeting was or what they discussed.
His visit comes as Seoul is moving to improve ties with Pyongyang. Last week, the Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean relations, allowed a Buddhist delegation to visit Pyongyang for a joint Buddhist service.
In 2006, the world-renowned musician was invited to participate in a peace concert in North Korea as a conductor, but the concert was called off after the communist state conducted a nuclear test that year.
Relations between the two Koreas have been tense since President Lee Myung-bak took office in early 2008 with a pledge to link aid to the impoverished neighbor to progress in efforts to end its nuclear programs. The already-frayed ties plunged to the lowest level in decades after the North's two deadly attacks on the South last year.
ejkim@
Chung Myung-whun, who leads the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and doubles as a UNICEF "goodwill ambassador," arrived in Pyongyang on Monday with two senior Seoul orchestra officials with hopes of discussing a variety of cultural exchange programs with North Korean artists. The 59-year-old Chung said he hopes to ease strained relations between the two nations through inter-Korean art projects, such as holding concerts and music programs for children.
In a two-sentence dispatch late Wednesday, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Chung watched and conducted performances of the North's State Symphony Orchestra and the Unhasu Orchestra and had "a talk with creators during his stay here." Jung and his colleagues also visited the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, it added.
The report gave no other details about how long the meeting was or what they discussed.
His visit comes as Seoul is moving to improve ties with Pyongyang. Last week, the Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean relations, allowed a Buddhist delegation to visit Pyongyang for a joint Buddhist service.
In 2006, the world-renowned musician was invited to participate in a peace concert in North Korea as a conductor, but the concert was called off after the communist state conducted a nuclear test that year.
Relations between the two Koreas have been tense since President Lee Myung-bak took office in early 2008 with a pledge to link aid to the impoverished neighbor to progress in efforts to end its nuclear programs. The already-frayed ties plunged to the lowest level in decades after the North's two deadly attacks on the South last year.
ejkim@
