WORLD IN BRIEF : SOUTH KOREA : Roh Offers to Open Border With North

South Korea announced that it will open its tightly sealed border with North Korea next month for free travel. President Roh Tae Woo said in a televised statement that his government would open the southern sector of Panmunjom, a truce border village, around Aug. 15, the 45th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Communist North Korea last month made a similar offer, saying it would open its side of the border in mid-August. “For five days beginning Aug. 13, we will keep Panmunjom open as passage and will accept brethren from the North without restrictions,” Roh said. “We will also take steps to allow any of our citizens to visit North Korea through Panmunjom without restrictions.”