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North Korean envoy begins 4-day visit to South Korea |
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September 12, 2000
SEOUL (AP) - A special North Korean emissary embarked on a four-day visit to South Korea Monday, expressing hopes his trip would help further thaw the five-decade tensions between the two Korean states. "I've come to Seoul with a strong yearning of our people for unification," Kim Yong Sun said upon arrival at Seoul's Kimpo Airport. "I hope our delegation's visit will create a new, big momentum for national unification." Heading an eight-member delegation, Kim flew to Seoul directly from the North's capital, Pyongyang, aboard a special plane. He was met at the airport by Vice Unification Minister Yang Young-shik. Kim Yong Sun's visit represents another symbol of warming ties between the two Korean states following the first-ever summit of their leaders in June. The summit provided the best hope yet for peace on the divided Korean Peninsula, the world's last Cold War frontier. Kim Yong Sun heads the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, a semi-official organization which handles the North's policy with South Korea and other countries which have no formal ties with the reclusive communist country. South Korean officials attach great significance to Kim Yong Sun's visit, considering it as another advance in inter-Korea relations. Kim Yong Sun was the only North Korean official who sat in on the June summit. Kim Yong Sun's itinerary in South Korea was not fully made public. Seoul officials said only that he would pay a courtesy call on President Kim Dae-jung and visit Cheju, a southern resort island, and Kyongju, an ancient capital. He will also inspect some industrial facilities, including Pohang Iron and Steel Co., one of the world's most efficient integrated steel mills, they said. A major topic of discussion in Seoul is expected to be the promised visit here of the North Korean leader following the June summit in Pyongyang. Kim Jong Il has said he is obligated to visit Seoul. Such a trip would set another milestone in relations between the two Koreas, which remain divided at the end of World War II in 1945. The North Korean delegation included a four-star army general and member of the North's powerful National Defense Commission, a party organization which is headed by leader Kim Jong Il. The inclusion of the general had raised speculation North Korea may be interested in discussing military cooperation with the South - an area in which progress has been relatively slower than in other sectors. But the general returned home later Monday without any contact with South Korean defense officials after delivering mushrooms to South Korean government, economic and media leaders. The mushrooms, a gift from the North's leader, Kim Jong Il, were reportedly picked by soldiers. The Koreas fought a three-year war in the early 1950s and have never signed a peace treaty. They share the world's most heavily armed border with nearly 2 million troops deployed on both sides. But their relations have warmed dramatically since the June summit. They have stopped propaganda broadcasts against each other and allowed 100 people each to cross the border in mid-August for temporary family reunions. Two more family reunions are expected by year's end. On Sept. 2, South Korea repatriated 63 former North Korean guerrillas and spies who had been freed after serving decades in southern prisons. The Koreas also agreed to relink a major cross-border rail line that was cut off shortly before the Korean War broke out in 1950. When reconnected, the rail line will connect the two Korean capitals and continue to Shinuiju, a major city on the North's border with China. Athletes from the two Koreas will also march together behind a unification flag during the opening ceremonies at the Sydney Olympics - the first time for the games.
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