Koreas Begin 'Reconciliation Week'

DPRK and ROK have reopened their liaison offices at the truce village of Panmunjom, in the no-man's land between their heavily-fortified borders.

The opening of the offices - which will provide direct channels of communication between the two sides - marks the beginning of what is being called "Reconciliation Week", aimed at cementing ties between the two long-time foes.

It is one of the follow-up measures to the declaration signed by the leaders of the two Koreas at their summit in June.

DPRK and ROK are still technically at war since their three-year conflict ended in 1953 with a truce and not a peace treaty.

South Korea has also given an amnesty to more than 3,500 prisoners.

"President Kim Dae-Jung conducted the sweeping amnesty according to the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness that he believes in at a time of a national reconciliation," the presidential spokesman said.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/