S. Koreans Mark War’s Anniversary
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SEOUL — South Korea marked the 44th anniversary Saturday of the outbreak of the Korean War with low-key public ceremonies but mounting backstage activity aimed at breaking half a century of bitter national division.
Veterans gathered at Seoul’s National Cemetery to honor the millions killed in the 1950-53 conflict, which confirmed the post-World War II division of the peninsula into capitalist South and Communist North.
Thousands attended a rally in the capital’s Olympic Park calling for peaceful unification of the two Koreas.
This year’s anniversary comes at a time of mounting hopes that faltering steps toward reconciliation might this time produce results.
North Korea on Saturday notified the South of the names of a high-powered delegation that will meet Seoul officials Tuesday in a bid to arrange a historic summit meeting between the presidents of the two Koreas.
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