Efforts have virtually collapsed between civilian groups from South and North Korea, which were seeking to hold joint events to mark the 15th anniversary of the June 15 declaration.
 
The South Korean preparatory committee announced on Tuesday that its counterpart from the North had sent a letter on Monday proposing separate events in Seoul and Pyongyang. 
 
The two committees had been discussing jointly celebrating the 15th anniversary of the June 15 declaration and the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
 
In the letter, however, the North’s committee denounced South Korean authorities for failing to confirm that the events would be allowed in Seoul, while conditioning that they be purely from a social and cultural perspective.
 
The North Korean committee added that working-level contact to prepare for the events would not yield positive results unless there was a fundamental change in the position of South Korean authorities.
 
On May 26, the South Korean preparatory committee had proposed holding working-level contact whenever and wherever the North wished.
 
A Unification Ministry official said at the time that Seoul hoped the North would respond positively and sincerely, adding that the events would contribute to restoring a kindred spirit among the Korean people upon the 70th anniversary of liberation.