South Korean organizers said Monday that civic activists from the two Koreas will open talks this week in Pyongyang to discuss holding joint celebrations for major events significant to both countries.

The organizers said a group of 22 South Korean civic activists left for Beijing Monday aboard a commercial South Korean flight to visit Pyongyang.

During the South Korean delegation's five-day stay in the North, officials from the two Koreas are expected to discuss issues connected with the holding of joint celebrations, including June's fourth anniversary of the 2000 inter-Korean summit and National Liberation Day, which falls on August 15.

Liberation Day is a major holiday on both sides of the inter-Korean border. Both countries usually mark the day with pro-unification proposals and celebrations.

The divided Koreas have held joint commemorations of major national events and holidays following the milestone inter-Korean summit in 2000.