Roh to attend N. Korean festival

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- South Korea's unification minister said President Roh Moo-hyun plans to attend the pro-communist Arirang Festival while in North Korea.

Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said Roh plans to attend the festival, which includes pro-communist slogans and a pro-unification mass-gymnastics performance, along with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il while the president is in North Korea for the Second South-North Korea Summit Oct. 2-4, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported Friday.

Conservative politicians in South Korea have criticized Roh's decision to attend the festival because it promotes communist ideology and idolizes the North's deceased founder Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il.

However, Lee said the two countries are in talks to have some sensitive materials removed from the performance before it is watched by Roh.

"The sight of the two Korean leaders seated side by side at one stadium to watch the Arirang Festival performance would send a message of peace across the world," Lee said. "It will give a message that both sides are working together towards peace."