The Unification Ministry says the newly inaugurated administration has received 19 requests so far from South Korean civic groups for permission to make contact with North Koreans.

Since North and South Korea remain technically at war, it is illegal for South Koreans to make contact with North Koreans except under specific government-sanctioned conditions.

The 19 civic groups hope to pursue projects involving humanitarian aid, development cooperation and cultural exchanges with the North.

One civic committee is seeking to collaborate with North Korean contacts to commemorate the upcoming 17th anniversary of the historic 2000 North-South summit in June.

President Moon Jae-in indicated strongly during his campaign that he would support an expansion of North-South contacts and cooperation.

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