North Korea has sent a wreath to Hyundai Group to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung, the conglomerate said Sunday, amid efforts by Pyongyang to improve ties with Seoul that quickly deteriorated following the North’s sinking of a South Korean warship and attack on a border island last year.

The wreath from the North’s Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee was delivered to Hyundai Asan officials at the joint industrial complex in Kaesong, North Korea, along with red ribbons that read “In memory of Chung Ju-yung.”

Only the ribbons will make it across the inter-Korean border to a planned memorial service in Seoul on Monday, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Chung’s death, group officials said.

The wreath was delivered two days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il praised the late founder of one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates in a personal message delivered to Hyundai’s office in the North’s Mount Kumgang. 

(Yonhap News)