By Lee Kyoung Mi and Kim Young Shin
Photos = Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee

Cheong Wa Dae announced on April 18 that it will release to the public a trove of photos and videos of past exchanges between South and North Korea at its official website for the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit (http://www.koreasummit.kr/).

In the "Archives" drop-down menu (교류와 협력의 한반도), there are sub-menus for the "Peace Studio" (평화 사진관) and the "Peace Theater" (평화 영상관) where visitors can see a total of 119 photos and 22 videos from past Inter-Korean Summits in 2000 and in 2007.

The Peace Studio is divided into three sections: Inter-Korean Summit, Panmunjeom and Cultural Exchange & Cooperation. The photos in these sections show cultural exchanges and moments of cooperation, past summit meetings and not-widely-seen images of Panmunjeom taken after the division of the Korean Peninsula.

Starting with a shot of former President Kim Dae-jung leaving for the summit on June 13, 2000, the photos show how the first Inter-Korean Summit unfolded, as well as various shots of Panmunjeom, the venue for the upcoming summit.



The photos here also show some behind-the-scenes stories related to past Inter-Korean Summits, such as the soap opera and music video DVD sets given to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, and former President Roh Moo-hyun receiving boxes of pine mushrooms from the North's leader.

The Peace Theater section has four sub-sections: Economic Cooperation, Social & Cultural Exchanges, Humanitarian Cooperation, and The Summit. The videos show the two Koreas taking steps to be closer and steps toward a peaceful coexistence.

There are also videos that show certain historical moments, like the reunion of separated families on Aug. 15, 2000, and Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung crossing through the Panmunjeom Truce Village with 500 head of cattle.

"The Peace Studio and Peace Theater provide rarely seen photos and videos, with explanations and behind-the-scenes stories from experts who were actually there, showing exchanges between the two Koreas, just like a mini-documentary,” said an official from Cheong Wa Dae.



km137426@korea.kr