The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said it plans to visit North Korea via an inland route, the Gyeongeui Line that runs between South and North Korea in early 2010. It is to mark the tenth year of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.

The umbrella labor union held a news conference at its headquarters in Seoul and said it is planning a visit to North Korea. It is to discuss with North Korean labor groups an alliance in order to improve inter-Korean relations.

To that end, the labor organization has sent a letter requesting collaboration to the North Korean labor group, General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and its itinerary for a four-day visit to Pyongyang beginning January 13th.

The KCTU said that the South Korean government should not ignore or try to stop its plans to visit the North, instead using it as an opportunity to improve inter-Korean relations.