S.Korea mulling to invite DPRK to APEC forum

South Korea is seeking ways to invite the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to attend a working-group meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held later this year in South Korea, South Korean Yonhap News quoted an official of South Korean Foreign Ministry as reporting on Monday.

"This year, South Korea is the host country of the APEC meeting. If we push for DPRK's participation as an observer in a working group, APEC members will not oppose it," Yonhap quoted the official as saying.

"The DPRK may choose to participate in a working-group meeting related to agricultural technology, small- and mid-sized companiesor tourism," the official added. These working group meetings willbe held in South Korean provincial cities before November, when the APEC summit meeting will be held in South Korean second largest city of Busan.

But, since DPRK is not member of APEC, South Korea still needs all APEC members' agreement of such invitation.

"If the mood is created for the DPRK's participation, we will take a concrete step toward inviting it," the official added.

Source: Xinhua