Roh may watch controversial Arirang festival in North

Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung told reporters Tuesday that the government will push for President Roh Moo-hyun and his entourage to watch North Korea`s pro-communist propaganda festival, Arirang, on the sidelines of the inter-Korean summit slated for Oct. 2-4.

The Arirang festival, which features a pro-unification mass gymnastics performance, has been popular among both Western and South Korean visitors. Sections of the gymnastics performance are said to contain contents idolizing the North`s deceased founder Kim Il-sung and his son and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, according to Yonhap News Agency.

"The Arirang festival is a pride of North Korea. We have to respect such aspects. The (South Korean) government will consider Roh`s observation of the performance, if such a request is made by the North," Minister Lee said.

Roh`s spokesman Cheon Ho-seon also gave a similar answer during his daily media briefing.

"The Arirang festival is one of several options under consideration for Roh`s non-summit itinerary. The South`s advance team now staying in Pyongyang will check the contents of the performance. Some contents deemed inappropriate for the viewing by the president and South Korean officials could be deleted temporarily," said an informed government source.