A high-ranking South Korean official has expressed a negative view on holding an inter-Korean event marking the 13th anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration.

The official told Yonhap News on Friday that if a joint ceremony is held in Gaeseong or Mount Geumgang as proposed by North Korea, a number of South Koreans will have to visit the North, which raises many issues such as security for the visitors.

Accordingly, Seoul is likely to disapprove the event if the North does not accept the South’s proposal of inter-Korean governmental talks.

The Unification Ministry in Seoul has said it will make a decision on the matter after a comprehensive review on various aspects including inter-Korean relations.

The North Korean Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration on Wednesday proposed to its South Korean counterpart holding an inter-Korean event in Gaeseong or Mount Geumgang.