S Korea okays rare SHOW OF NORTH FILMS

SEOUL: South Korea approved a rare screening of North Korean movies at a local film festival on Tuesday, as a diplomatic thaw gains pace following two landmark summits between their leaders.

The two countries technically remain in conflict after the 1950-53 Korean War ended without a peace treaty, and all cross-border civilian contact -including trips, letters, or emails -- are banned unless endorsed by both governments. But officials have allowed three North Korean feature films and six short movies to be screened at the annual Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival on Seoul's outskirts from July 12, organisers said. The North's films include the 2016 drama hit "The Story of Our Home", about three orphaned siblings trying to stay together, and "Comrade Kim Goes Flying", a 2012 romantic comedy about a miner pursuing her dream to become an acrobat. The latter -- a joint production between Britain, Belgium and the North -- was earlier screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the South's Busan International Film Festival to positive reviews.

Organisers have also sought to invite several North Korean movie makers but are waiting for official approval. Public display of the North's culture or bringing North Korean figures to the South requires authorisation from several state bodies, including Seoul's unification ministry and spy agency.