An international non-governmental cultural organization is planning on hosting an international cultural festival in South and North Korea later this year.

The World Culture Open (WCO) said Thursday that the festival will open in New York in September and then tour around Seoul, Pyongyang and the truce village of Panmunjeom, staging various cultural performances and exhibitions.

Chairman of the organizing committee, Hong Seok-hyun, said it is significant that the non-profit organization has decided to hold its first event on the Korean Peninsula to promote the spirit of harmony and co-existence in the global village through cultural events.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in New York City and Seoul, the WCO aims to create international events and forums to promote, honor and celebrate the creative, healing and humanitarian arts around the world.