North Korea's propaganda Web site Uriminzokkiri says that civic groups of the two Koreas have issued a joint statement calling for efforts to restore inter-Korean relations in commemoration of National Foundation Day.

In the statement, issued Saturday, the South’s preparatory committee for inter-Korean civilian events to mark the day and its North Korean counterpart said that hostility and jealousy among the Korean people are pointless. They called for a fight against the South’s May 24 economic sanctions and its move to introduce a North Korean human rights act.

The South Korean committee had initially pursued joint events with the North to celebrate the day, but the North rejected the plan citing its preparations for the 70th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party.

The two Koreas held joint events in 2002, 2003 and 2005 to commemorate National Foundation Day, and South Koreans officials visited Pyongyang to attend a joint event last year.