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The delegation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) led by Kim Ki-nam (R2), a Workers' Party Central Committee secretary most frequently included in DPRK's leader Kim Jong-il's entourage in public activities, pay respects to ROK late president Kim Dae-jung in Seoul, capital of South Korea, Aug. 21, 2009. The six-member delegation arrived Seoul on Friday and headed straight to a memorial altar set up for ex-president Kim at the National Assembly. [Xinhua]
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A Korean traditional dance is performed during a candle-light vigil to pay tribute to the late former ROK President Kim Dae-jung outside the City Hall in Seoul August 22, 2009. Kim, who was awarded the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the first summit between the leaders of the ROK and the DPRK that led to a dramatic warming of ties, died on Tuesday at the age of 85. The funeral will be held on Sunday. [Agencies]
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The challenge for Lee will likely be how to accomplish that without appearing to abandon his principles, illustrated by his policy of linking any improvement in relations to progress made by the DPRK in eliminating its nuclear weapons program.
Kim Yong-hyun, a professor at Seoul's Dongguk University, said Lee was likely reluctant to show much eagerness to meet the DPRK delegation since it could invite a backlash from conservatives who oppose any indication of softness toward Pyongyang.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, without citing a source, that the DPRK delegation were expected to deliver a message from Kim Jong-il and outline Pyongyang's plan to release four ROK fishermen seized in July. They would also convey the DPRK's position on resuming official dialogue.
The DPRK delegation arrived in Seoul on Friday and immediately went to the National Assembly to pay respects at a memorial to Kim. They offered a floral wreath in the name of Kim Jong-il to the late president. The two leaders met at the first ever inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in June 2000.
Kim Yang Gon, who handles relations with the ROK, met for 80 minutes earlier Saturday with the ROK's Unification Minister Hyun In-taek. The meeting was the first such top-level encounter in almost two years. Kim and Hyun met again Saturday evening for dinner.
