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Seoul: South Korea said on Sunday it may expand cooperation with North Korea following a US decision to remove Pyongyang from a terrorism blacklist, as conservative protesters took to the streets to denounce Washington's move.
On Saturday, the United States took North Korea off a list of states it accuses of sponsoring terrorism. The North welcomed the decision, saying it would resume disabling its main nuclear facilities and allow international inspections there.
Kim Ho-nyeon, a spokesman at South Korea's Unification Ministry, told reporters yesterday South Korea is considering "adjusting" various projects with its neighbour, such as its food aid to the impoverished North.
He did not elaborate but his office later explained that South Korea has long sought to expand inter-Korean economic projects and humanitarian aid to the North in tandem with progress on the nuclear issue. "I hope the terrorism delisting will have a positive effect on improvement of inter-Korean ties," he said.
The latest development raised hopes for resumption of disarmament efforts in North Korea but also triggered strong criticism from conservative forces in the South. About 70 activists called on the US to withdraw its delisting decision in a rally yesterday near the American Embassy in Seoul.
Chanting "We oppose the terror delisting," the activists tried to burn signs with photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, triggering a minor scuffle with police.
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