North Korea says 'no' to joint celebration of holiday with South

 North Korea declined an offer from the South to jointly celebrate National Liberation Day on Aug. 15, a holiday observed in both Koreas to mark the end of Japanese colonial rule.


A South Korean representative of the June 15 Joint Declaration Committee said Wednesday the organization had received a message from Pyongyang regarding the invitation for a joint celebration, News 1 reported.

"We received word from North Korea that it would be difficult to hold a joint National Liberation Day event," the spokesman said.

According to the committee, the North Korean side sent its faxed response Friday, declining the opportunity because of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises in August.

The South Korean committee had earlier suggested working-level talks in a third country.

Lack of North Korean interest in easing tensions through civic engagement means Seoul and Pyongyang will be celebrating the annual holiday separately.
 [upi.com]
2/8/17