Unification Minister Chung Dong-young says the sending of the Seoul delegation to Wednesday's inter-Korean festival in Pyongyang reflects the government's strong will to follow the 2000 joint declaration.

In a symposium on the inter-Korean summit hosted by the Kim Dae-jung Library of Yonsei University, Chung on Monday said the peace and prosperity policy of the incumbent Roh administration is founded on ex-President Kim's "sunshine policy," which resulted in the declaration.

Chung said his visit to Pyongyang will enable the two sides to hold candid discussions on inter-Korean peace and issues.

He called for the North's return to the six-party talks as soon as possible to resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue, and thus gain practical benefits such guarantee of the regime's security and economic aid.