An inter-Korean literary association was launched Monday as the first of its kind since national division 60 years ago.

A hundred participating members from the two Koreas met at the North's Mount Geumgang for the launch.

It is also the first inter-Korean organization founded by civic groups.

In an inaugural ceremony, the group elected a joint governing board comprising eight members from each side, created a Unification Literature Award and agreed to publish an association bulletin called "Unification Literature."

Members also issued a 13-point statement defining the group as a trans-Korean association which supports the June 15 inter-Korean agreement of 2000 and will work to preserve the superb cultural tradition and language of the Korean people.