Seoul's Unification Ministry said Thursday that it has formed a task force to enable speedy preparations for a joint event with North Korea to mark the first inter-Korean summit in 2000.

A ministry official told reporters the task force, which also includes officials of other related agencies, is holding discussions with civic groups regarding the joint event. 

The official said that preparations need to be accelerated as the date is approaching. 

The task force will first discuss details internally, such as the date, venue and the government delegation that will attend the joint event, and hold talks with members of a promotion committee that includes representatives of political parties, religious circles and civic groups. Discussions are then expected to be held with North Korea.

South Korea planned to raise this issue during high-level inter-Korean talks that were scheduled for Wednesday, but North Korea indefinitely postponed the meeting.